By Jake Donovan
The way Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andrzej Fonfara see it, their April 18 clash is the biggest opportunity both can enjoy at the present moment.
It’s for that reason that their bout—which will air live on SHOWTIME from the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.—comes at a catchweight of 172 lb.
Popular belief suggests the weight comes at the demand of the bigger draw in the fight—Chavez Jr. There are elements of truth to that theory, but both fighters insist that meeting in the middle was the best course of action in making this fight happen.
“I’m training very good, harder than in the past. It’s been more physical, and I will weigh 172 lbs. for the fight with Fonfara,” promises Chavez Jr. (48-1-1, 32KOs) a former middleweight titlist who will fight at 168 lbs. or heavier for his third straight fight.
The bout is Chavez Jr’s first fight since last March, when he weighed just under 168 lbs. for his rematch win with Bryan Vera. The weight was down from his showing up at a career heaviest 172½ lbs. for his debatable decision win in their first fight in Sept. ’13.
Fonfara (26-3, 15KOs) previously campaigned at middleweight and super middleweight before moving up for good in 2010. Despite regularly campaigning at light heavyweight, the Polish boxer—who lives and trains in Chicago—hasn’t always come in right at the 175 lb. limit.
He weighed 173 lbs. for his Aug. ’13 knockout win over Gabriel Campillo, and doesn’t foresee any issues into shrinking into a smaller-sized costume for his upcoming bout.
“I’m a light heavyweight fighter,” insists Fonfara, who proved as much in a strong showing—albeit in a losing effort—versus World champion Adonis Stevenson last May. “I fight with Chavez that’s why I fight at catchweight.
“This is my weight. It’s not a problem to move 2-3 lb. down. I was 173 in past fights. Two pounds down is good. I have (a stricter) diet and more work but I will be good.”
Both fighters have plenty of motivation to make weight, as a hefty fine will be imposed for each pound over the limit.
“I will make weight because it’s $100,000 for each pound I miss,” Chavez Jr. promises. “If he doesn’t make weight, maybe we will have $100,000 more.”
Jokes aside, the second-generation superstar from Mexico doesn’t see the catchweight as advantageous for either fighter.
“He made 173 lb. for the Adonis Stevenson fight (Writer’s note: Fonfara’s official listed weight for the fight was 174¾ lbs.). I don’t think he would make 169 lbs.,” Chavez Jr. believes, in noting why he didn’t demand a fight closer to super middleweight, where he plans to campaign for the foreseeable future. “The fight is at the right weight. It’s not an advantage for anybody. I’m 168. He’s 175. The weight is very good for both fighters.”
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox