MIAMI, 9 August 2003 — Undefeated World Boxing Association super featherweight champion Acelino Freitas of Brazil makes his third title defense here today, taking on once-beaten Jorge Barrios of Argentina.
Freitas, 33-0 with 30 knockouts, took the title with a unanimous decision over then-undefeated Cuban Joel Casamayor in January of 2002.
“I fight for my family and for my country,” Freitas said. “The fight with Casamayor was like the Super Bowl is in America. I have never let my people down, and I hope I never will.”
Freitas, 27, stopped his first 29 opponents before recording a unanimous decision over Alfred Kotay here in September of 2001. Freitas posted a unimous decision over Daniel Attah last August in his first title defense.
In his second defense last March, Freitas stopped Juan Carlos Ramirez in the fourth round. Barrios, 39-1 with one draw and 29 knockouts, is a powerful puncher as well.
“I want to show against Freitas that I am the champion of the Argentines,” Barrios said. “I am very serious about this, and I will chase him until he gives me the chance. Then, I will beat him.
“Freitas has no idea what he is in for. I have watched tapes of many of his fights. He has many weaknesses.”
Barrios, 27, is fighting for the third time this year and has stopped his last five opponents. Most recently, he knocked out Fabian Salazar in the fourth round on April 10.
Champion Fischer Tests Postive for Cannabis
In Frankfurt, Germany, the German Boxing Federation (BDB) confirmed yesterday that German heavyweight champion Willi Fischer had tested positive for cannabis.
The 30-year-old Fischer failed the random drugs test after successfully defeating compatriot Andreas Sidon to become German heavyweight champion on June 14.
“I am not guilty and do not understand the positive result at all,” declared Fischer.
The German boxer, who was banned for a year after testing positive for Furosemide in November 2000, must now wait on the results of a second test to see if he can clear his name.
