SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – former world champion Acelino Freitas has his sights set on a series of high-profile boxing matches following his upcoming exhibition bout against MMA legend Wanderlei Silva this Saturday at Spaten Fight Night 2 in Sao Paulo. the eight-round exhibition, with judges scoring ringside, came together after Vitor Belfort withdrew due to concussions sustained in training.
Freitas (41-2, 34 KOs), a former WBO and WBA super featherweight champion and two-time WBO lightweight champion, isn’t shying away from the challenge of facing the significantly larger Silva. “We have no fear, we’re going there to rip his head off,” Freitas stated during a recent media day. “Spaten won’t regret calling me to replace Vitor Belfort.”
The Brazilian boxer has remained active through exhibitions, including a frist-round knockout of Jose Landi-Jons, a former teammate of SilvaS from Chute Boxe. Freitas emphasized his knockout power, noting his 29-0 record with 29 KOs at 130 pounds, dismissing concerns about the weight difference. “It’s not the body weight that makes you a knockout puncher,” he said. he even playfully warned Silva, nicknamed “Cachorro Louco” (Mad Dog), that he might become “Dead Dog” after their fight.
Beyond Silva, Freitas revealed a desire to face several boxing stars from the past. He disclosed being approached for a fight with Manny Pacquiao on the undercard of a Jake Paul event, though talks stalled. Offers for bouts against Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez – the fighter who famously knocked out Pacquiao – were also discussed. Freitas also recalled a challenge from Floyd Mayweather following his 2002 fight against Joel Casamayor, a challenge he says he’s still waiting for.
“I have the dream and desire to fight these guys,” Freitas said. “I’m always ready.If [the chance] comes like this time, be sure that I’ll go there and I’ll do a nice job.” He also left the door open for a potential fight with Vitor Belfort in the future,criticizing belfort’s previous attempts to dictate fight conditions,including unusual gloves and a critically important weight disparity.”Every time you call Vitor Belfort to fight,make sure you have a backup plan as he might chicken out again,” Freitas asserted.
Freitas is currently the face of Fight Music Show, a Brazilian promotion known for celebrity boxing matches, while Spaten Fight Night has taken a different approach, booking matchups like Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen.