By Lem Satterfield
The 24-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (40-0-1, 30 KOs) is preparing to end what will have been a seven-month ring absence on June 26 when he steps into the ring at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex., opposite Ireland-native, John Duddy, of New York. Chavez-Duddy will be part of Top Rank Promotions' Latin Fury 15: La Furia De Mexico pay per view event.
Chavez last fought on Nov. 14, when he earned a 10-round, unanimous decision victory over Troy Rowlands only to have the verdict turned into a no-contest after Chavez tested positive for Furosemide, a diuretic.
According to Top Rank CEO, Bob Arum, he could match Chavez against newly-crowned WBA junior middleweight titlist, Miguel Cotto or former three time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito.
"I think that this opens up a possiblity of Cotto against Antonio Margarito, or -- depending on how he looks on June 26 against John Duddy -- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.," said Arum. "[Trainer] Freddie Roach says that he's [Chavez Jr.] coming along like a house on fire. But let's see how he does with John Duddy."
"A trainer like Freddie Roach can take me to the next level. I know how tough he is, but I will do what he says," said Chavez. "With a great training camp, I will be able to take on Duddy, who I think is a very good fighter, and I will win."
Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. Read more from Lem Satterfield at AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here.
