Father is not like son

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

“FATHER like son,” so the axiom says. But not to the two former world boxing champions Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. and his son and namesake Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

Yes, I guess you, too, watched on TV last May 7 how the former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight world champion, the handsome Mexican Chavez, Jr. suffered a battery of telling punches in the hands of compatriot and former world middle champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the light heavyweight fight held at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The younger Chavez seldom threw punches and could not effectively counter the barrage of punches that the younger Alvarez,29, to lose by identical unanimous decision (120-108) by the three judges.  That prompted boxing connoisseurs to say, Chavez, Jr. is finished on his chosen career.

I have to believe them. That’s my perception too. The son Chavez is not really like his father who reigned unbeaten in world boxing for 13 years in three weight divisions (super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight). He held the longest undefeated streak (so far) by any world champion since professional boxing was born.

I followed the older Chavez’s career, me being a half-Mexican and a boxing buff. Unlike his son, the senior Chavez had devastating punches during his prime years knocking out majority of his opponents in the early rounds, and if he didn’t, he won by unanimous decision, which prompted the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America and the respected bible of boxing, The Ring Magazine, to cite him as “Fighter of the Year” in1987 and 1990 due to his 27 title defenses and 37 title victories.  Chavez Sr. also held the record for the largest attendance for a boxing match, 132, 274, held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico when he fought German world contender Greg Haugen in 1993. His country mates called him “El Cesar de Boxeo” (The Caesar of Boxing) and “El Gran Campeon Mehicano” (The Grand Mexican Champion), making him the greatest Mexican boxer of all time.

I believe he was better than the legends Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales or even the new Mexican discovery Canelo Alvarez.

In my view, he had an exceptional punching power with devastating effects, and most of all he had an extraordinary strong chin that saw him unyielding in stalking inside the ring.

Before his pro losses to then world champions Randy Randall, co-Mexican ring warrior Oscar De La Hoya and to Kostya Tszyu, the five-foot-seven-and a half Chavez Sr. was undefeated in 89 fights with a single draw against American Pernell Whitaker. He retired with a 115 fights, wins 107 with 86 knockouts, six losses and single draw record. His outstanding record from 1980 to 2005 propelled him to be inducted in the prestigious international “Boxing Hall of Fame” in 2011.

Unlike his tall son (6’1”) Chavez Jr. who was reportedly involved in prohibited drugs (marijuana) that led to his suspension in 2013, fined twice by boxing commission and once given a drunk-driving citation in Los Angeles, California, Chavez Sr. was clean and perfect and that made the big difference between the two ex-world boxing champions, father and son. The father is not like son, in discipline and in boxing reputation.

A new Mexican legend is in the making, Alvarez. He’s slated to fight defending champ Gennady Golovkin in September this year. Let’s wait and see.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 THESSALONIANS 1: 8

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