RingSide Report

World News, Social Issues, Politics, Entertainment and Sports

Julio Cesar Chavez JR Vs Peter Manfredo JR: Saturday Boxing War in Texas

By Geno McGahee

This Saturday, the “Son of a Legend,” Julio Cesar Chavez, JR., 43-0-1, 30 KO’s, will defend his WBC Middleweight Title against Peter Manfredo, JR., 37-6, 20 KO’s, in Texas. Chavez, JR., has been voted “most protected fighter” for several years running by many boxing publications and with good reason. His career has been carefully moved and he has been about as protected as a fighter can be. It is fair to say that he was maneuvered into a title shot and was given a questionable decision against the equally limited Sebastian Zbik in June. He now faces former Contender star, Peter Manfredo, JR., a fighter that has beaten all of the B listers, but hasn’t been able to step it up against the legitimate top ten.

Chavez, JR., is legitimately the son of a legend. His father, Julio Cesar Chavez, 107-6-2, 86 KO’s, fought the best of the best. Greg Haugen once mentioned that Chavez fought Mexican cab drivers to build his record and some of them were, but the other half were legitimate good fighters. Chavez, JR., has not faced much more than the cab drivers at this point and Manfredo is a mere baby step in the right direction.

Manfredo, JR., has put together six straight victories since his knockout loss at the hands of Sakio Bika in 2008. He also lost to Joe Calzaghe by early stoppage and to Jeff Lacy by decision. On the Contender show, he would lose to Alfonso Gomez and Sergio Mora. It can be argued that Manfredo shares a lot in common with Chavez, JR. He has not fought many very good fighters. He fills arenas in his hometown and he beats up no hopers, like Julio, JR., does, but he didn’t have the pull that a Chavez has, getting him a winnable title shot. Instead, he got the best 168 pounder in history, arguably, in a bout that he could not have won.

What bodes well for Manfredo in this fight is that Chavez, JR., is not a big puncher at 160 pounds and it will give opportunities to the challenger to get some things done. Manfredo MUST seize this moment and be aggressive and seek the stoppage because he will not get a decision. Zbik can testify to that.

The most likely scenario here is Chavez, JR., winning a decision, somewhere in the 115-113, 116-112 range, but the limitations of the champion make this fight interesting. We could see an upset.

Leave a Reply