Tonight at 10:00 p.m. popular Mexican slugger Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will fight sturdy light heavyweight contender Andrzej Fonfara on Showtime in Chavez Jr.'s first fight since March 2014. Fans can live stream the bout by clicking this link.
Chavez Jr.'s last two fights have been somewhat lackluster affairs vs. journeyman Brian Vera, who was recently fighting on Big Knockout Boxing as a way to keep himself relevant in the sport. Chavez Jr. nearly pulled off an all-time great comeback vs. Sergio Martinez in September 2012, dropping 11 straight rounds before nearly closing the show with a 12th-round knockout. In defeat, he still gained popularity.
His two fights vs. Vera did the opposite. He underwhelmed, and was suspended from the ring for using marijuana. He hasn't fought in a year, and now had to fight at a 172-pound catch weight because of how much he ballooned in his year off.
"I am very focused going into this fight. I have changed a lot mentally this past year," Chavez Jr. said. He has also linked up with trainer Joe Goosen, known for preparing his fighters for firefights.
"Joe is a great trainer. He is a great motivator to his fighters and makes them better," Chavez Jr. said. "I have worked very hard with him for the 35 days we spent together in Lake Tahoe. When I was training with Freddie Roach, it was very different. I think Freddie is a great trainer, but Joe also has a lot of experience and we have made a connection together."
In Fonfara, he is facing an opponent that isn't too well-known in the U.S., but is someone who gave WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson a real scare. He dropped a unanimous decision, but he was able to knock Stevenson down in the fight, and didn't succumb to "Superman's" power punching.
Chavez Jr. has been known to tire out, and against Fonfara that may prove fatal to his chances. If Chavez Jr. has truly dedicated himself to the sport and to training though, his upside is great.
Prediction: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. def. Andrzej Fonfara by unanimous decision
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