De La Hoya: Chavez Being Overweight Would Be a Slap in The Face

By Steve Kim

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. faces Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez on May 6th in what is a highly anticipated clash between two Mexican stars.

For this contest, a catch-weight of 164.5 pounds has been instituted. The last time Chavez fought this close to the middleweight limit (160 pounds) was back in September of 2012 when he took on Sergio Martinez.

Can Chavez Jr. make this weight and just how will it affect his performance?

It's a bit reminiscent of a catch-weight scenario from 2008, when Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya agreed to face Manny Pacquiao at the welterweight limit after not having done so for seven years. Pacquiao was moving up from 135 and De La Hoya was dropping down from 154. For this fight, Canelo is moving up from 154 and Chavez is dropping down from 168.

When asked if these situations were similar, De La Hoya (who is promoting this event) said - "No, not to that extreme or point. I think Chavez made 168 for his last fight. It's just the discipline, right now Chavez is a whole new disciplined fighter. Throughout the whole tour he's been on point. He's been responsible, he's been waking up in the morning to go run to the gym. He's been a whole new fighter."

On Friday, both fighters concluded a cross-country press tour that concluded in Los Angeles at Plaza Mexico.

"I think this is like the second half of his career and he knows it. So he know this fight is very important. Winning this fight takes him once again to the top. So he's looking forward to it,'' said De La Hoya

There is certainly a lot on the line, here. But you wonder, is there any chance that Chavez Jr. sacrifices a few bucks to tip the scales in his favor. There is a stipulation in the contract that for every excess pound over the contracted weight, Chavez Jr. will be forced to forfeit a million dollars. Sources say that Chavez Jr. is guaranteed $6 million for this event.

Perhaps Chavez Jr. comes in a couple of pounds heavier to give himself an advantage?

"It could happen, it's a lot of money. You never know," admitted De La Hoya. "I think that will be a slap in the face of all the fans all over the world. Not just to 'Canelo' - but to all the sport. I think he will do that. I think he's really serious about showing everybody and proving that he's back."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com