It’s another big weekend of boxing, folks. Well, depending on how highly you value 164.5 lb catchweight affair, Canelo vs Chavez Jr. To some, it’s a Mexican blockbuster, while to others it’s a countrymen meeting with the potential to turn into something a bit interesting. And, for the more cynical boxing fan, it’s merely another Canelo Alvarez bout in need of Gennady Golovkin and an official ‘Middleweight’ stamp.
Personally, I’m not yet sure what group I’ll fit into this weekend. But, if one thing’s for sure in 2017, it’s so far been a notably good year for the underdog, with overlooked guys like Daniel Jacobs (vs GGG) and Wladimir Klitschko (vs Anthony Joshua) almost doing the unthinkable. So, partly for that reason, I’m reluctant to pan Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s chances, even if his career has meandered somewhat since quitting against Andrzej Fonfara in 2015.
Canelo is the better overall talent. He’s that bit more refined, patient, and clever with his work. With Chavez, he can box when he likes to, but is more of a gnarly, gritty, get-stuck-in type of guy. He’s a real ‘fighter’, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Chavez’s blood-and-guts way of handling business has notched up some solid wins through the years, enabling him to almost stop Sergio Martinez, who, going into that 12th round, was steaming ahead on the cards.
What really grabs my attention in Canelo vs Chavez Jr is weight and size. OK, so Canelo is the better overall operator, but what if Chavez, who has significant height and reach advantages, is really on his game when the bell rings? What if Canelo’s first rodeo over 160-pounds is far bumpier than expected? What if Golden Boy has placed their numero uno cash cow in a very tricky, potentially career-stalling fight? Thought-provoking stuff at the very least.
To cap things off, while there’s probably no major upset lurking, I cannot write off Chavez so long as he can make weight and rehydrate comfortably. If he looks like a beast, towering over Canelo when they touch gloves, who knows what could happen?
Canelo vs Chavez Jr: Fight Night Lowdown
Fight Time & TV Channel
The televised action kicks off on Boxnation from 2:00am GMT, and 9:00pm ET for viewers on HBO PPV, with the fight priced at $59.99.
Full Undercard
- Lucas Matthysse (37-4, 34 KO) vs Emmanuel Taylor (20-4, 14 KO) | Junior Welterweight | 10 rounds
- David Lemieux (37-3, 33 KO) vs Marcos Reyes (34-4, 25 KO) | Middleweight | 10 rounds
- Joseph Diaz (23-0, 13 KO) vs Manuel Avila (22-0, 8 KO) | Featherweight | 10 rounds
- Ronny Rios (27-1, 12 KO) vs Daniel Noriega (30-10-1, 15 KO) | Junior Featherweight | 10 rounds
- Ryan Garcia (8-0, 7 KO) vs Tyrone Luckey (8-6-3, 6 KO) | Lightweight | 6 rounds
Canelo vs Chavez Jr: Extended Tale of the Tape, Facts & Stats
Note: Advantageous stats are indicated in red (some may be subjective), and championship stats refer to ‘fully fledged world titles’ only.
Canelo Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
Physical/Vital
Birthplace
Jalisco, Mexico … Sinaloa, Mexico
Age
26 … 31
Height
5’ 9” … 6′ 1″
Reach
71″ … 73″
Stance
Orthodox … Orthodox
Lightest / Heaviest Weight
139 / 155 (lbs) … 128 / 172
Record
Debut
2005 … 2003
Bouts
50 … 54
Wins / Defeats / Draws / KOs
48-1-1, 34 KO … 50-2-1, 32 KO
Knockout Ratio
67% (33) … 59% (32)
Last 5 Fights
5-0, 3 KO … 4-1, 0 KO
Last 10 Fights
9-1, 5 KO … 8-2, 2 KO
1st Round Knockouts
5 … 8
2nd Round Knockouts
7 … 7
3rd Round Knockouts
2 … 4
4th – 6th Round Knockouts
10 … 9
Defeats by Knockout
0 … 1
Knockdowns Suffered
0 … 1
Rounds Boxed
341 … 293
12-Rounders Completed
8 … 5
Current Winning Streak
6 … 2
Undefeated Fighters Defeated
5 … 4
Latest Win
Liam Smith (KO 9) … Dominik Britsch (UD 10)
World Title Bout Experience
Wins / Defeats / Draws / KOs
10-1, 5 KO … 4-1, 2 KO
Successful Defenses
7 … 3
Longest Championship Reign
03/2011 – 09/2013 … 06/2011 – 09/2012
Major Titles Won
WBC, WBO, WBA (154 lbs), WBC (160) … WBC (160)
Major Titles Currently Held
WBO (154 lbs) … None
Boxing Base Top 10 World Ranking
No.1 (154 lbs) … Unranked
Notable Performances
CANELO: Liam Smith (KO 9), Amir Khan (KO 6), Miguel Cotto (UD 12), James Kirkland (KO 3), Erislandy Lara (SD 12), Alfredo Angulo (TKO 10), Floyd Mayweather (LOSS: MD 12), Austin Trout (UD 12), Josesito Lopez (TKO 5),
Shane Mosely (UD 12), Kermit Cintron (TKO 5), Alfonso Gomez (TKO 6), Ryan Rhodes (TKO 12), Matthew Hatton (UD 12), Lovemore Ndou (UD 12), Carlos Baldomir (KO 6), Luciano Cuello (TKO 6), Jose Cotto (TKO 9)
CHAVEZ JR: Dominik Britsch (UD 10), Marcos Reyes (UD 10), Andrzej Fonfara (LOSS: RTD 9), Brian Vera (UD 10, UD 12), Sergio Martinez (LOSS: UD 12), Andy Lee (TKO 7), Marco Antonio Rubio (UD 12), Peter Manfredo (TKO 5),
Sebastian Zbik (MD 12), John Duddy (UD 12), Jason LeHoullier (TKO 1), Luciano Leonel Cuello (UD 10), Matt Vanda (UD 10, UD 10), Tobia Giuseppe Loriga (KO 9), Jose Celaya (TKO 8), Ray Sanchez (KO 6)
Common Opponents
None
Give us your two cents on Canelo vs Chavez Jr, BB’s Tale of the Tape, Facts & Stats, plus your fight night predictions for this Mexican showdown.
