By Salvador Rodriguez
WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (44-0-1, 31KOs) is no longer taking baby steps. On February 4th at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Julio will face the biggest challenge of his entire career - fierce puncher Marco Antonio Rubio (53-5-1, 46KOs). Ribio has knocked out nine of his last ten opponents and says he will go for the knockout in the very first round.
In his last fight in December, Rubio knocked out former Chavez opponent Matt Vanda in five rounds. Chavez went the distance with Vanda, twice, including a controversial split decision win in their first fight.
"I am aware of the challenge and I know that Rubio is perhaps the toughest fighter that I've ever faced. I can not take anything for granted against him, but I have a special motivation to prove to everyone why I am the champion, and what better than doing this with a knockout," Chavez said.
"He's a fighter that we've seen, has a big punch, but he also doesn't switch up and we know that a good preparation can end the fight early."
Salvador Rodriguez covers boxing in Mexico for The Record.
