Acelino Freitas Retires

Lightweight champ Acelino “Popo” Freitas calls it a day

Brazil’s Acelino “Popo” Freitas, 38-1, a four-time world champion at lightweight and super featherweight, announced Tuesday night that he is throwing in the towel and retiring from boxing.

Freitas was last seen on HBO’s Boxing After Dark winning the vacant WBO lightweight title last April at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn., with a split decision over Zahir Raheem.

No word yet on what prompted Freitas’ sudden withdrawal from active duty, but he said he wants to promote fights in the future and that he intends to continue donating his time and energy to helping social projects throughout his native Brazil.