Julio César Chávez, Jr.

Julio César Chávez Carrasco (born February 16, 1986), best known as Julio César Chávez, Jr., is a Mexican professional boxer and former WBC middleweight champion.^[2] He is the son of retired six-time world boxing champion Julio César Chávez and older brother of Omar Chávez.^[3]

Personal life

Chávez Jr. was born in the city of Culiacán,^[4][5] when his father held the WBC World Championship at super featherweight. His face became known to boxing fans when his father would take him and his brother Omar into the ring as children, before each of Chávez Sr.'s fights. As a teenager, Chávez Jr. endured some difficult moments, including a publicized relationship between his father and actress Salma Hayek and the consequential divorce of his parents.^[6] Chávez Jr. lived in relative obscurity until he announced that he would follow in the footsteps of his father and become a boxer.^[7]

On part of his career Chávez Jr. has struggled with discipline issues such as training properly, reaching the right weight before his fights and his alleged use of illegal substances. On February, 2014, Chávez and his girlfriend welcomed their first daughter, Julia.

Amateur career

Chávez, Jr.'s amateur career consisted of only two fights against former world champion Jorge Páez's oldest son Jorge Páez, Jr.; both of the exhibitions bouts were shown on Mexican television.^[8]

Professional career

After those amateur fights, Chavez Jr. started his professional boxing career at 17 years old.^[9] On September 26, 2003, at Super Featherweight (130 lbs), he won his professional debut by outpointing Jonathan Hernandez over six rounds in Chávez Jr.'s native Culiacán, Sinaloa. Chavez Jr. is signed with Bob Arum's Top Rank.^[10] Many of his fights have been held during boxing programs that have been headed by his father; he has also been featured on the undercards of many major pay-per-view fights (rare for an up-and-coming fighter, but not unexpected in his case given his father's fame). He is considerably taller than his father.^[11] Chávez Jr. set a fighting pace that was reminiscent of Chávez Sr.'s own pace when the latter was a younger man: in 2004, he fought eleven times, not having a fight only in August during that year.

Chavez, Jr. won by a split decision over Matt Vanda July 12, 2008. Scores for the fight were 97–93 and 100–90, while losing 96–95 on another card.^[12] Chavez struggled with making weight for several bouts and was suspended following his win over Troy Rowland for using a banned diuretic, furosemide, to make the 160-pound weight limit. As a result, the fight was changed to a no contest.^[13]

On June 26, 2010, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Chavez Jr. had a win against John Duddy, in what many regard as his first serious fight.^[14]

In December 2010, Alfonso Gomez was signed to match up against the undefeated Chávez Jr. at middleweight (the contracted weight was 157) for Chavez Jr's WBC Silver Middleweight belt on the In Harm's Way card as the main event. However, during training for the bout, Alfonso tore some ligaments in his left elbow and had to withdraw from the card and undergo a few months of rehab. For his part, Chavez Jr was set to fight Paweł Wolak as a replacement bout, but after adjusting the weight limit for said match to 165 lbs, Chavez Jr had to pull out due to the flu messing up his training and weight loss and then in January he went onto beat title contender Billy Lyell.^[15]

Middleweight

On June 4, 2011, Chávez, Jr. defeated WBC Middleweight Champion Sebastian Zbik to win his first world title at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, taking a major step toward establishing his own legacy while his famous father looked on. He was behind early against Zbik, who was the quicker fighter and landed more punches early. But Chavez kept coming forward, countering with hard body shots that seemed to slow his German opponent down.^[16]

Chavez Jr. defended his Middleweight title with a fifth-round knockout of Peter Manfredo Jr. in Houston on November 19, 2011.

Chavez was marginally outworked, but he landed a higher percentage of punches and more power shots than Manfredo. In the fifth round, Chavez hurt Manfredo with a hard right hand and unloaded a flurry when the challenger wobbled and backed up on the ropes. Manfredo was never hit flush as Chavez threw with abandon, but he didn't answer with any punches and referee Laurence Cole finally stepped in to call it at 1 minutes, 52 seconds.^[17]

On February 4, 2012, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Chavez faced Mexican countryman Marco Antonio Rubio in a 12-round scheduled championship Middleweight bout.^[18] Chavez Jr. retained his WBC Middleweight title after beating Rubio by a unanimous decision. Chavez bossed the majority of the exchanges and was awarded the fight 118-110 116-112 115-113 on the judges' scorecards. Two weeks before the fight, Chavez was arrested in Los Angeles on charges of drunk driving.^[19]

Chávez vs. Lee

On June 16, 2012, at the University of Texas at El Paso, Sunbowl in El Paso, Texas. Chavez Jr. recovered from a slow start he blamed on leg cramps and stopped Andy Lee at 2:21 of the seventh round to retain the WBC Middleweight title. A right uppercut by Chavez snapped Lee's head upwards and sideways and Chavez connected on a barrage of punches before referee Laurence Cole intervened and waved an end to the fight.

With the victory, Chavez put himself in position for a title-unification fight with recognized World Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez.

Chávez vs. Martínez

Chávez, Jr. fought against Sergio Martínez on September 15, 2012, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas for the Unified WBC and The Ring Middleweight Championship.

Martínez outworked and out-landed Chávez throughout the first 11 rounds of the fight in dominating fashion. Though Chávez had his moments, trapping Martínez in the corner on the ropes, Martínez fought Chávez and used his fast lateral movement to avoid and neutralize Chávez's offensive attack. After 11 dominant rounds from Martinez, Chávez hurt Martínez in the twelfth round, sending him to the canvas half way through the round. Martínez got up with a little over one minute left in the fight and continued to throw and trade with the Mexican champion, despite being fatigued and clearly hurt. Martínez managed to survive the 12th round. Martínez won the fight by unanimous decision, by the scores of 117–110, 118–109 and 118-109. It was later revealed that Martinez had fought with a broken left hand since the fourth round.^[20][21]

After the fight, Chavez tested positive for cannabis.^[22] On February 28, 2013, the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended him for nine months and fined him $900,000. Chavez had been already fined $20,000 and suspended indefinitely by the World Boxing Council.^[23]

Chávez vs. Vera I & II

After a year of suspension, Chávez faced Brian Vera on September 28, 2013 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Chávez struggled with the weight before the fight and he hardly reached the 172 pounds for a fight pacted in 168 pounds. The night of the fight he weighed 186 pounds. Like the fight against Martínez, Chávez threw very few power punches while Vera dominated the fight. In the late rounds, the face of Chávez was swollen and he had a cut on his nose, while Vera's face hardly showed any signs of damage. Chávez won a controversial unanimous decision. He threw 320 punches, while Vera threw 734. The decision was heavily criticized by the audience. After the fight, Chávez stated that he fought with an injured hand.

A rematch was held on March the 1st, 2014, at the Alamodome of San Antonio, Texas. Contrary to what happened in the first fight, Chávez came out more aggressive and proposed the fight. He kept the distance with the jab and landed power punches. In the eleventh round he landed a powerful right hand that nearly knocked Vera out. Chávez won via unanimous decision.

Chavez vs. Fonfara

After a long break from boxing, Chavez Jr. decided to face Andrzej Fonfara, a bout in which Chavez was dominated and dropped by a left hook to the forehead in the 9th round. Before the 10th round begun Chavez told his corner "Stop the fight" making it his first TKO in his career. After fight Chavez said "Yes, I think I won the fight". Some words were lost in translation; he meant to say he felt he was winning the fight at early stages of the bout. Chavez was behind in all three judges score cards at the time of the stoppage.

Professional boxing record

49 Wins (32 knockouts, 16 decisions), 2 Loss (1 knockouts, 1 decisions), 1 Draw, 1 No Contest
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Rnd., time	Date	Location	Notes
Win	49–2–1–(1)	Marcos Reyes	UD	10	2015-07-18	El Paso, Texas, USA	170 lb catchweight bout
Loss	48–2–1–(1)	Andrzej Fonfara	RTD	9 (12), 3:00	2015-04-18	StubHub Center, Carson, California
Win	48–1–1–(1)	Brian Vera	UD	12	2014-03-01	Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Win	47–1–1–(1)	Brian Vera	UD	10	2013-09-28	StubHub Center, Carson, California	173 lb catchweight bout
Loss	46–1–1–(1)	Sergio Martínez	UD	12	2012-09-15	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada	Lost WBC Middleweight title. For The Ring Middleweight title.
Win	46–0–1–(1)	Andy Lee	TKO	7 (12), 2:21	2012-06-16	Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas	Retained WBC Middleweight title.
Win	45–0–1–(1)	Marco Antonio Rubio	UD	12	2012-02-04	Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas	Retained WBC Middleweight title.
Win	44–0–1–(1)	Peter Manfredo, Jr.	TKO	5 (12), 1:52	2011-11-19	Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas	Retained WBC Middleweight title.
Win	43–0–1–(1)	Sebastian Zbik	MD	12	2011-06-04	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California	Won WBC Middleweight title.
Win	42–0–1–(1)	Billy Lyell	UD	10	2011-01-29	Estadio Carlos González, Culiacán, Sinaloa	Retained WBC Silver Middleweight title.
Win	41–0–1–(1)	John Duddy	UD	12	2010-06-26	Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas	Won vacant WBC Silver Middleweight title.
NC	40–0–1–(1)	Troy Rowland	ND	10	2009-11-14	MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	40–0–1	Jason LeHoullier	TKO	1 (10), 2:43	2009-09-12	Palenque de la Feria, Tepic, Nayarit	Retained WBC Latino Light Middleweight title.
Win	39–0–1	Luciano Cuello	UD	10	2009-03-28	Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California	Won WBC Latino Light Middleweight title.
Win	38–0–1	Matt Vanda	UD	10	2008-09-01	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	37–0–1	Matt Vanda	SD	10	2008-07-12	Palenque De Hermosillo, Hermosillo, Sonora
Win	36–0–1	Giuseppe Loriga	KO	9 (10), 1:47	2008-04-26	Plaza de Toros, Querétaro, Querétaro	Retained WBC Continental Americas Light Middleweight title.
Win	35–0–1	José Celaya	TKO	8 (12), 2:14	2008-02-09	Domo De La Feria, León, Guanajuato	Won WBC Continental Americas Light Middleweight title.
Win	34–0–1	Ray Sánchez	KO	6 (10), 1:33	2007-12-01	Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Win	33–0–1	Louis Brown	TKO	5 (10), 2:42	2007-08-04	Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Win	32–0–1	Grover Wiley	KO	3 (10), 2:27	2007-06-09	Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York
Win	31–0–1	Anthony Shuler	KO	2 (10), 1:32	2007-04-14	Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Win	30–0–1	Raúl Muñoz	TKO	3 (10), 1:29	2007-03-09	Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas
Win	29–0–1	Christian Solano	UD	10	2006-12-16	Plaza de Toros, Culiacán, Sinaloa
Win	28–0–1	Shad Howard	RTD	4 (8), 0:10	2006-09-23	Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas
Win	27–0–1	Jermaine White	TKO	4 (10), 1:52	2006-08-19	Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas	Won vacant WBC Youth Light Middleweight title.
Win	26–0–1	Aaron Drake	TKO	2 (6), 1:53	2006-06-10	Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York
Win	25–0–1	Tyler Ziolkowski	KO	2 (6), 2:40	2006-03-08	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	24–0–1	Carlos Amado Molina	MD	6	2006-02-18	The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada
Draw	23–0–1	Carlos Amado Molina	PTS	6	2005-12-16	Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León
Win	23–0	Jeremy Stiers	TKO	5 (6), 0:47	2005-10-08	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	22–0	Corey Alarcon	TKO	2 (6), 0:35	2005-09-17	America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Win	21–0	Jonathan Nelson	KO	1 (6), 0:54	2005-08-12	Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas
Win	20–0	Rubén Galván	TKO	4 (8), 2:22	2005-06-25	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	19–0	Adam Wynant	KO	1 (6), 0:42	2005-05-28	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Win	18–0	Travis Hartman	TKO	3 (8), 0:51	2005-04-22	Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas
Win	17–0	Ryan Maraldo	TKO	3 (6), 2:56	2005-03-19	MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	16–0	Leroy Newton	TKO	1 (6), 2:11	2005-02-11	Convention Center, San Diego, California
Win	15–0	Jose Cruz	TKO	2 (8), 0:54	2005-01-21	Parque Revolucion, Culiacán, Sinaloa
Win	14–0	Eliseo Urias	KO	2 (6), 0:11	2004-12-18	U.A. de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa
Win	13–0	Sheldon Mosley	TKO	5 (6), 0:13	2004-11-26	Poliforo Juan Gabriel, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua
Win	12–0	Mike Walker	TKO	1 (6), 2:21	2004-08-23	Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona	Won vacant WBC Youth Light Middleweight Title.
Win	11–0	Miguel Galindo	TKO	4 (6), 0:28	2004-09-04	Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California
Win	10–0	Jason Smith	UD	4	2004-07-31	MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	9–0	Luis Huerta	TKO	2 (6), 0:52	2004-06-26	Parque Revolucion, Culiacán, Sinaloa
Win	8–0	Antonio Aguilar	KO	1 (4), 1:10	2004-05-22	Plaza de Toros, Ciudad de México
Win	7–0	Arturo Ocampo	KO	2 (6), (0:11)	2004-04-24	Palenque de Gallos Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas
Win	6–0	Guadalupe Arce	KO	1 (4), (2:10)	2004-03-27	Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Baja California
Win	5–0	Oisin Fagan	UD	4	2004-02-28	MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	4–0	Jose Burgos	UD	4	2004-01-29	International Ballroom, Houston, Texas
Win	3–0	Gerardo Penaflor	UD	4	2003-12-05	International Ballroom, Houston, Texas
Win	2–0	Eugene Johnson	KO	1 (4), (0:51)	2003-11-22	Centro de Espectáculos Alamar, Tijuana, Baja California
Win	1–0	Jonathan Hernandez	UD	4	2003-09-26	Parque Revolucion, Culiacán, Sinaloa	Professional boxing Debut.

Trainers

Chavez has been trained by two of his uncles, who have been criticized for not putting their foot down with the young fighter in terms of discipline. Chavez needed more motivation and guidance so he switched from his uncles to famous Freddie Roach to his corner.^[24]

See also

• List of Mexican boxing world champions
• Notable boxing families
• List of current world boxing champions
• List of WBC world champions
• List of middleweight boxing champions

References

External links

• Official website
• Julio César Chávez, Jr. at the Internet Movie Database
• Professional boxing record for Julio César Chávez, Jr. from BoxRec