By Johnny Ortiz
“El LEON DE CULIACAN” SAYS ADIOS!
Known throughout his career as “The Lion of Culiacan,” Julio Caesar Chavez will bid fond adieu to his adoring fans this Saturday at the Los Angeles Staples Center. He will face ring veteran Ivan Robinson, whose claim to fame is his two 1998 back-to-back wins over now reigning WBC Super Lightweight Champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti. Ivan’s track record indicates that his best days are far behind him. In his last eleven fights, he has won three, lost six, with 2 draws. His overall record reads: 32 wins, 9 losses with 12 KO’s and 2 draws. His fight with Julio could very well be his swan song from boxing.
In comparison, Julio’s last eleven fights are a little better; he’s won seven, lost three with one draw. His overall record is quite impressive. Julio has had 107 fights, losing 5, 2 draws, with 87 coming by way of knockout.
This fight will have absolutely no bearing in any of the rankings. It will be Julio’s way of saying thank you for all of the wonderful fan adoration he has received over his great boxing career.
The very first time I ever saw Julio fight was on June 15, 1983, in his very first fight in Los Angeles. It was at the Olympic Auditorium where he quickly disposed of a fellow by the name of Romero Sandoval in three rounds. He wasn’t on stage long enough for me to get a proper assessment of his talent, but even so, there was definitely something special about the little warrior from Culiacan, Mexico. It would be in his second fight at the fabled Olympic Auditorium that I would really be drawn to this Mexican dynamo. Fighting as a Jr. Lightweight, Julio won a ten decision over a very, tough Adriano Arreola. Julio went into the Arreola fight with 35 KO’s in his previous 39 fights. A tremendous superstar was born that night…the rest is boxing history.
Julio Caesar Chavez is without a doubt, the most popular fighter to ever come out of Mexico, not to mention that he is also considered the best fighter. A few years back, when he was still active, a reporter asked Julio what he thought of being considered the greatest Mexican fighter ever, Julio had this to say: “Thank you for the nice compliment, but I have to humbly disagree, that distinction belongs to Ricardo “Finito” Lopez.” He showed me a lot of class by bestowing the title of greatness on Finito. I have to agree with Julio, Ricardo Lopez retired undefeated after 84 wins. He never lost an amateur or a professional fight.
The reports I have been getting is that the ticket sales are going through the roof. The farewell fight card is expected to sell out. Not bad for a guy who is only a shell of his fighting days. The rest of the fight card has helped immensely in selling out the joint. It is an amazing tribute to Julio that the fans, even knowing that Julio is far removed from the electrifying fighter he once was, still cannot seem to get enough of him. He will leave behind a legacy that will be hard to match; he fought and beat the best there was. I personally, will never forget the animalistic fury he brought into his fights. He was the quintessential seek and destroy fighter…he took no prisoners. His much-feared Mexican hook to the liver is something right out of a boxing textbook. It’s hard to remember all the times I have seen the fight go right out of a fighter when Julio landed his signature punch. He may be gone from the active fight scene after Saturday night, but Julio will never be forgotten. Those of you, who will be in attendance Saturday, will be a part of boxing history. You can tell your grandkids that you saw a wonderful living legend fight his last fight. It will be a fistic event not to be missed. It has been a long, long road for the idol of Mexico…he is one fight away from boxing immortality.
Julio’s track them down and execute style of fighting will live on in fistic lore, whenever the greats are brought up in discussion, you can make book the name of Julio Caesar Chavez will be right there at the top of the list. It is only befitting for… “El Leon de Culiacan!”
Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez vs. Jesus “El Matador” Chavez
"The fight of the night”
I find it hard to go against someone by the name of Jesus. After reality set in, and realizing that Jesus Chavez is no more than a mere mortal, I am ready to write about the fight.
If Sly Stallone thought his Contender main event with Sergio Mora and Peter Manfredo Jr. could possibly be a candidate for “Fight of the Year,” I strongly suggest he tune in on Saturday’s WBC Super Featherweight elimination fight between Carlos Hernandez and Jesus Chavez. This fight has all of the earmarks of a brutal confrontation. Both Carlos and Jesus are not known to take a backward step, indicating that they will meet in the center of the ring and let all hell break loose.
In all fairness to Sly, Sergio, Peter, Carlos and Jesus, the fight of the year is already in…Castillo-Corrales. Their fight was not only the fight of the year, but arguably the fight of the century. With that said, Hernandez-Chavez is just about as even as a match can get. They both have said that they consider this bout a springboard to a rematch with Erik “El Terrible” Morales. Carlos not only lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Erik on July 31, 2004, he also lost his IBF Super Featherweight title. Jesus, not to be outdone, also lost his WBC Super Featherweight crown to Erik on February 28, 2004 via a twelve round unanimous decision. The winner will get another shot at El Terrible. Instead of the fight being billed as a WBC elimination bout, it should be referred to as “The Erik Morales Revenge Fight.”
Getting back to how even this fight is going in, Carlos resume reads, 41 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw w/24 KO’s. Jesus has a record of 40 wins, 3 losses w/28 KO’s. That’s about as even as it can get. Carlos has had three more fights.
I have had Jesus on my boxing show a few times, like the majority of the fighters I have had on, he is gentleman. He and Carlos are not the trash-talking sort of guys, they prefer to do their talking inside the ring. They are friends outside of the ring, after they settle their differences on Saturday, they will resume their friendship…that’s the way it should be.
Famoso is a very, close personal friend; we became friends many years ago. He has been a regular guest on my show, even co-hosting with me a couple of times. I know how very hard he had it for quite a long time. His beautiful wife Veronica was the one who kept the ship afloat when the sailing was extremely rough; she stood by his side, keeping him going when he wavered, it was she who finally brought the ship into smooth waters. Veronica Hernandez is as sweet as she is stunning. All of their trials and tribulations finally paid off, Carlos became a world champion, the first world-boxing champion from El Salvador. Life became wonderful and bearable for Carlos and Veronica, besides being so grateful for the Lord’s good graces; they now have a beautiful son, Christian. Life couldn’t be better for the good-looking couple; the one thing that could make life even better is for Carlos to emerge victorious Saturday evening. I will be pulling for my good friend Famoso to win.
Jesus may have something to say about it, but one thing is for sure, he will not have to look for Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez, the kid from El Salvador will enter the ring with one thing on his mind…to win! Doing so will reunite him with his old friend…“El Terrible!” “El Matador” is the only thing standing in the way of “Famoso” going on to regain his title; the trouble is…Jesus Chavez is on the same mission.
The Showtime PPV fight card has a very good fight lineup that will feature IBF Bantamweight Champion Rafael Marquez, the brother of WBA and IBF Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez, defending his crown against Ricardo “Chapo” Vargas. Rafael is a great champion; I look for him to handle the veteran Vargas. Chapo will not be the guy who beats the hard-punching Marquez.
Undefeated middleweight Jesus (another Jesus?) “The Hammer” Gonzalez (15-0 w/10 KO’s should have no trouble in getting Dewey Walliver out of there. Like the kid they fed to Julio Chavez Jr. a while back, who came into the ring with a lousy record of 16 wins and 15 losses, Walliver will also face the hard-hitting Gonzalez with the same record of 16 wins, 15 losses w/5 KO’s. How could the California Commission sanction such a bout?
Julio Chavez Jr. will fight on the same card as his daddy for the first time. As of this printing, no opponent has been named. Let’s hope they come up with someone who can hold up his hands. His last fight was a disgrace, it wasn’t the kid’s fault, the blame falls squarely on the matchmaker. In all seriousness, a fighter cannot improve unless he occasionally steps up in class. Staying at a certain level where no one can give you a good fight will only stunt the growth of a fighter. To be the best, you have to fight the best. Julio Jr. is very talented, but if he is to learn, it is imperative he move up with each fight, his father never had it easy. Once daddy learned his trade, he blew everyone away. I hope they come up with someone who can give Jr. a good outing this time around.
The #1 WBC contender, Brian Villoria, another one of our kids who came on our show quite a few times, will also be on the card. I do not know who his opponent will be, but Brian is so good, I’m picking him to win. A late substitute can’t hang with “The Hawaiian Punch.”
Olympian Vanes Matirosyan will round out the card.
THE CONTENDER CHAMPION: SERGIO MORA
Ringside LA extends its warmest congratulations to Sergio Mora for winning The Contender Championship, not to mention a million dollars.
Sergio is no stranger to Ringside LA. A few years ago, a caller dialed my show; he asked if I knew where Sergio Mora was. When I said that I wasn’t familiar with the name, he told me that Sergio was a very good fighter who showed a lot of promise. It seems he had followed his career, and just like that, Sergio appeared to have fallen off the face of the earth.
After he hung up, it didn’t take long for someone to call, the caller apparently was a friend of Sergio’s; he informed us that Sergio had taken time off from boxing to further his education by enrolling in college. It was the first time I had ever heard of Sergio Mora, but it would not be the last. A while later, at the insistence of both callers, we connected with Sergio. He turned out to be a very pleasant young man. Remembering that his friend said that Sergio wanted to further his education, only led me to believe he was a bright, young guy who wanted to better himself in life. We talked one other time…I never forgot his name.
When he appeared on the Contender, I naturally told everyone I knew about the young kid from ELA, I had them all cheering for him to win it all. I cannot wait to get back on the radio, when I do, you can make book he will be my in- studio co-host.
The composure this young man showed during the boxing series, speaks volumes for his class. When just about everyone on the show had bad things to say about the other guys, Sergio had nothing but good to say.
I was so proud of him Tuesday night, not only because he won, but for the reasons he fought. To fight in order to stop your mother from working, can only illustrate the gigantic love he has for his mother. A mother’s love has no boundaries. He fought for all the right reasons. Living in a small, two-bedroom apartment in ELA with his mother and two brothers gave him all the motivation he needed. The Good Lord took care of the rest.
Again we salute “The Latin Snake”…on a job well done!
Jose Navarro wins again!
Congratulations are also in order for “El Angelino” Jose Navarro. Today, May 26, Jose took another step closer to winning his first world title. He won by a third round TKO over Miguel Del Valle. With the win, he will fight the winner of the July 18th WBC Jr. Bantamweight title fight between champion Katsushige Kawashima and Medgoen Tokuyama.
Jose was horribly robbed when he went to Tokyo to fight Kawashima for his title. Believe me when I tell you, Jose will kick Kawashima’s butt the next time out, leaving no doubt who is the better fighter. Jose was the better fighter then, he will be the better fighter when they meet. Jose has it all going for him, he can fight as good as he wants to, he also has one of the top three trainers in boxing going for him, Frankie Rivera. Remember the name, Frankie Rivera will one day be the very best. Jose, all of Los Angeles is behind you…“El Angelino” rules!
UNTIL THE NEXT ROUND…PEACE AND GOD BLESS!
Johnny Ortiz is a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame Board of Directors. He is also a former co-owner of the world famous Main St. Gym.
