By Miguel Rivera
Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (49-2-1, 32KOs) is hoping 2016 will be the year that he makes history.
2015 was the low-point of his career, but he saw a lot of positives. He suffered his first knockout loss on April 18 when he faced top light heavyweight contender Andrzej Fonfara of Poland. He returned in July to get a decision win over Marco "Dorado" Reyes, but suffered a serious injury to his left hand that required surgery and put him on the bench for the remainder of the year.
"It was a great year. After returning I lost to Fonfara at light heavyweight. He was tough, strong and I came back from a long layoff. Then I beat Reyes but I hurt my hand. I'm happy with the team and I have done well economically," Chavez Jr. said.
Chavez wants to get the opportunity to face WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack. No Mexican fighter has ever captured a world title at 168-pounds and Chavez is focused to be the first.
"Perhaps I will have the opportunity to challenge for the super middleweight title against Badou Jack. It could done done in the month of March or April. I'm mature and willing to offer the best version Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. I know what I want and need, I'll focus on that. With the years that I have remaining in boxing, I'm going to give my best," Chavez Jr said.
While he hasn't made 168 in a long time, Chavez sees no difficulties in getting there.
"I plan to stay a while [at 168], because at 175 where I lost my fight [the fighters] are very big for me. I want to campaign at super middleweight," Chavez Jr. said.