Bad Left Hook

Corey Erdman reports this evening that a big Brazilian clash between Michael Oliveira and Acelino "Popo" Freitas is looking very likely for a May 19 date in Rio De Janeiro, with a custom outdoor venue possible.

Oliveira (17-0, 12 KO) and Freitas (38-2, 32 KO) have been talking about a domestic clash for a while now, and it might mean something to casual Brazilian fans, but in the real boxing world, this fight is a farce and an absurdity. Let us count the reasons why.

Michael Oliveira is a middleweight. Acelino Freitas was, at his best, a super featherweight, and retired as a lightweight in 2007.

Acelino Freitas retired in 2007. Just in case that didn't stick a second ago. And Freitas was really never himself after his 2004 TKO-10 loss to Diego Corrales. It's been almost a decade since he was considered in his prime.

At 36 and fighting at least 30 pounds over his actual fighting weight, Freitas would be doing this for God knows what reason. There are a few possibilities:

1. To give the rub to Oliveira. It wouldn't surprise me to see Freitas show up, box a few rounds, and retire in his corner and pass the torch to Oliveira all "officially" and crap. People like dumbass things like that.
   
2. To make a few bucks. Popo's gotta eat.
3. For shits and giggles, I guess.

Oliveira fought on Saturday in Ontario, and was lucky to get out with a win over a journeyman opponent. As I said then and have said before and will say again, he's a fun fighter to watch and he really does come to fight, but he's got no future as a contender. His upside is becoming a noted TV fighter anywhere but Brazil, where he is a legitimate star. In other words, he might be better off fighting retired old super featherweight icons at home than facing middleweights, however mediocre, elsewhere.