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By James Blears
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, has been ranked number twenty in its Lightweight division by the World Boxing Council.
Julio Jr aged nineteen, has been a busy lad, since his debut back on 26th September 2003. He’s undefeated in 21 fights and has stopped 16 of his opponents.
Many haven’t admittedly put up too much resistance. But this first phase of his pro career, has provided a valuable and necessary learning curve for young Julio, as he only ever had a couple of amateur fights.
When I saw him at the Otomi High Altitude Center, a year and a half ago, Julio Jr looked a bit rough around the edges and a touch frayed. He’s just emerged from a four round slugfest with rugged Oisin Fagan, with a unanimous decision, plus a cut mouth and a few lumps.
Since that time, he’s come on in leaps and bounds, and is now employing a varied and sophisticated array of punches, backed up by developing boxing skills.
Facially similar to Dad, Julio Jr’s physique is different. Whilst Pop is just five feet seven inches tall and sports a sixty seven inch reach, Sonny towers over him at five feet ten and a half inches. His reach is 70 inches.
WBC President Jose Sulaiman is urging Julio Jr to develop his own individual style of fighting, especially by using his long left jab, a physical luxury denied to his stockier parent.
The WBC says that Julio Jr will be going after one of its Youth Championships within this year.
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, once held the WBC’s Lightweight belt. He’d previously won the Super Featherweight title. He went on to win the Super Lightweight crown. But only managed a draw with Pernell “Sweetpea…or Sweet Pete,” Whitaker when contesting the Welterweight laurel.
Julio Jr has not allowed his Father’s incredible achievements to daunt him. On the one hand, it’s opened some doors for him, while on the other it’s produced caustic doses of cynicism from some hard bitten critics.
It’s now up to him to show what he can do, and pull off at a higher and more competitive level.
