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By Thomas Gerbasi - “He’s not his father.”
Having talked to a number of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s opponents over the years, that’s always the disclaimer, the exclamation mark on what usually starts out as a sentence of praise. “He’s a good fighter.” “He’s got a sharp left hook.” “He’s a tough out.”
But he’s not his father.
True. But it begs the question, who is? Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. is a certified all-time great, a Hall of Famer and Mexican icon whose legacy is one that few can touch. His greatness was created out of desperation, poverty, and an unyielding will to rise from such humble beginnings to the top of his sport and into the hearts of his countrymen.
Junior didn’t have that issue. As son of one of Mexico’s greatest heroes, his life was much different than that of his father, and when he decided to pick up the family business, it was greeted with a mix of joy and skepticism – joy from those who hoped he would carry the Chavez line into the new era, and skepticism from everyone else.
And that skepticism was not only expected, but it was warranted. Chavez Jr. was the rawest of raw prospects when he began his pro career in 2003, and a steady stream of Pay-Per-View appearances didn’t exactly endear him to a public who were being asked to pay to see a fighter who was basically a version of Butterbean or Mia St. John in terms of being a novelty act, a curiosity. “Hey, look at the son of one of the greatest fighters of all-time for only $29.95.” [Click Here To Read More]
Having talked to a number of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s opponents over the years, that’s always the disclaimer, the exclamation mark on what usually starts out as a sentence of praise. “He’s a good fighter.” “He’s got a sharp left hook.” “He’s a tough out.”
But he’s not his father.
True. But it begs the question, who is? Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. is a certified all-time great, a Hall of Famer and Mexican icon whose legacy is one that few can touch. His greatness was created out of desperation, poverty, and an unyielding will to rise from such humble beginnings to the top of his sport and into the hearts of his countrymen.
Junior didn’t have that issue. As son of one of Mexico’s greatest heroes, his life was much different than that of his father, and when he decided to pick up the family business, it was greeted with a mix of joy and skepticism – joy from those who hoped he would carry the Chavez line into the new era, and skepticism from everyone else.
And that skepticism was not only expected, but it was warranted. Chavez Jr. was the rawest of raw prospects when he began his pro career in 2003, and a steady stream of Pay-Per-View appearances didn’t exactly endear him to a public who were being asked to pay to see a fighter who was basically a version of Butterbean or Mia St. John in terms of being a novelty act, a curiosity. “Hey, look at the son of one of the greatest fighters of all-time for only $29.95.” [Click Here To Read More]
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