By Jhonny Gonzalez
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (41-0, 30KOs) will get his mandatory shot at the WBC middleweight champion Sebastian Zbik (30-0, 10KOs) in the month of May in Toluca, Mexico. The two dates being considered are May 14 and May 21. Chavez is going to take a tune-up on January 29 against Billy Lyell (22-4, 8KOs) in Culiacan. Zbik became the full champion after Sergio Martinez was given the status of Champion Emeritus. Chavez's co-promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, confirmed the information.
"We reached an agreement with Zbik and he will will come to Mexico in May It's a very big incentive for Julio Caesar and therefore he is very happy and motivated. We've had talks with Zbik and the fight will be in May, a week or two after the Manny Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas [on May 7]," said Beltan to Sal Rodriguez.
A source close to the negotiations told Rodriguez that Zbik had asked for $450,000 to face Chavez in Mexico. No information on the final number that both sides agreed upon.
"I feel very happy because it seems that things are out of the way we expected. Fighting for the WBC world championship excites me because it is the title by which my father fought for and to fight [Zbik] in Mexico, that is certainly very good," Chavez said.
