by Cliff Rold

So, if Manny Pacquiao can get the business on the decision in a fight where he clearly earned the win, is Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. safe in Texas?  Even in the land of his father’s most ignominious result (Chavez Sr.’s draw versus Pernell Whitaker in 1993)?

Let’s assume yes on that one.  It doesn’t mean the result is pre-ordained.  Jr. Chavez has a serious fight on tap this weekend and fans that missed it will have a chance to view the replay of Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley.  Televised boxing in the U.S. has some other stops to make as well.
 
These are the picks of the week.

Pick It: #5 Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Andy Lee (Saturday, HBO, 10 PM EST/7 PM PST)
               
The best Cruiserweight at 160 lbs. goes to scratch in defense of “Uncle” Jose’s WBC belt for the third time.  Across the ring from Chavez (45-0-1, 31 KO) is a man with serious amateur pedigree, solid pop, skinny legs, and a suspect chin.  Andy Lee (28-1, 20 KO), one assumes largely because he was trained by Manny Steward, was once among the most highly touted prospects in boxing.  A stoppage loss to the limited Brian Vera in 2008 derailed him and most of what he’s done since has been average at best.  Still, winning can get ranked in the sanctioning bodies and Lee has a big chance to get back on track.  This has the makings of a good action fight and both men have reason to believe they can win.  It’s a nice appetizer for a solid slate of Middleweight action in the next couple months with Gennady Golvkin-Dimitry Pirog and Felix Sturm-Daniel Geale to come.  Chavez, if he wins, will allegedly face Sergio Martinez for a crack the real Middleweight crown this fall.  Lee would love to steal the date.

Pick Main Events: #5 Tomasz Adamek vs. Eddie Chambers (Saturday, NBC Sports, 9 PM EST/6 PM PST)

Inactivity and injury may have Chambers (36-2, 18 KO) unrated but this is every bit a face-off of two of the world’s ten best heavyweights.  Adamek is a former champion at Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight.  Both men have tried, and failed, to lift a Heavyweight title off a Klitschko.  Adamek was stopped by Vitali; Chambers by Wladimir.  They continue on and find each other, a solid match if Chambers shows up in top shape.  Adamek is essentially on home turf in New Jersey but Chambers is capable of taking the crowd out of the fight.  Fun rising contender Bryant Jennings (13-0, 6 KO) is in action against Steve Collins (25-1-1, 18 KO) to fill out as solid night with the big men.

Pick Telemundo: David Quijano vs. Juanito Rubillar (Friday, Telemundo, 11:30 PM EST)

Not every fight is about major titles or big names.  Some are just about two guys trying to get food on the table and pray for contention someday.  Rubillar (48-18-7, 23 KO) had some chances and fell short.  He usually fights hard.  Quijano (14-2, 9 KO) would surely love just to get a shot.  Rubillar has lost five straight but has a ton of experience.  This should all make for good late-night violence.
 
Back in seven.    

For BoxingScene’s latest full divisional ratings, log on to: http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=boxing-ratings

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com

Tags: Boxing Television