By Jose Luis Camarillo, notifight.com
Former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32KOs) believes he can still make the middleweight limit of 160-pounds, and even drop down as low as 158 for the right fight. But he also says a move to the super middleweight limit of 168-pounds would improve his performance and make him even stronger. Chavez says that he signed a contract to face veteran Brian Vera on September 7 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, at a maximum weight of 165-pounds. Chavez would like to have either a regional or silver WBC title at stake in the match.
"If all goes well against Vera, I can decide if I want to stay at 160 or go up to 168, depending on the offer I can get at 160. I could fight 'Maravilla' Martinez or Gennady Golovkin [at 160], or [go to 168 and go] against Sakio Bika; against Andre Ward, who I know is injured, but those are the fights that interest me. I'm young, I can make 160 pounds, even 158 if I had an interesting fight, or go to 168. I have the height and I can get very comfortable [there]. I do not think Martinez will be encouraged to go with me at 168, he knows that at that weight he has no chance - because I would stronger, more whole and I know I can knock him out. Ward also wants to fight, he is younger and better than Martinez," Chavez said.
"Ward is another Mayweather, but without the marketing. He is young, an Olympic gold medal winner, which not even Mayweather could achieve. I would fight with Ward at the end of the year or whenever. Let's see how I feel, a diet has to be done at any weight in order not to sacrifice my weight so much. [Vera is] a good choice after my inactivity [since September 2012]. If Martinez is still on the mend [from injuries], a win over Ward would place me on the list of the best. I know that many people do not think I can beat a fighter of that caliber, but I share the view that in order to be the best you have to beat the best."
Giving his take on the Saul Alvarez-Floyd Mayweather Jr. match on September 14th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Chavez said the following:
"That's good for boxing, they are two very good fighters, very popular, and they know how to sell. It's a great combination, we all want to see it, even myself. Canelo would have difficulty with a complete fighter, a very experienced like Floyd, but he is also a smaller fighter and is 37 years old. I am of those who believe that Alvarez can win because he is young, strong, but it will be a tough fight. This kind of fight motivates everyone who fights, this will help boxing. I would like Canelo to win, because he is Mexican."