Chavez-Rubio; can Jr pass his toughest test?

The two Mexican's face-off

DESPITE running up a record of 44(31)-0-1 and being the current WBC titlist, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will enter the ring this Saturday in The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, as a fighter with something to prove.

Although Chavez recently picked up the WBC strap by earning a hotly-contested majority decision over Sebastian Zbik, many fans were left underwhelmed. As well as the somewhat controversial outcome of the fight, the fact is that Sergio Martinez is the recognised Middleweight champion, and no amount of chicanery from the sanctioning body would change that.

Leaving aside the merits of Julio’s claim to his title, it should be noted that his victory over Zbik was the finest of his career. The Ukrainian out-landed him but the harder, more damaging punches came from the young Mexican, who is clearly improving under the tutelage of Freddie Roach.

Roach is, understandably, trying to manoeuvre the 25-year-old into a style

Chavez dominated Manfredo throughout

which would better employ his physical advantages. Standing 6’0” with a 73” reach, Chavez should theoretically be best when boxing from the outside, behind a strong jab. Being his father’s son however, his natural instinct is to get inside and go to the body. His size and weight advantage can be useful here also, pushing around his opponent and dominating at close range. Junior has weighed upwards of 180lbs in recent fights and that size alone will be troublesome for many Middleweights. He seems to be stuck in-between two styles though; not quite the all-out pressure fighter he clearly wants to be, and the transition to boxer-puncher not yet complete.

On Saturday, he will face a fighter who knows exactly what he is. Marco Antonio Rubio, 53(46)-5-1, is all fighter. Aggressive and heavy-handed, Rubio is most effective when he’s coming forward, throwing hooks to head and body. He will undoubtedly try to tempt Chavez into a war – a battle of attrition, with both men meeting in centre-ring best serves his purpose.

Rubio is a fighter in good form. Since being stopped in dominating fashion by Kelly Pavlik in February ‘09, his record is 10(9)-0. His most significant scalp in that period was David Lemieux. Viewed as a can’t-miss prospect, Lemieux entered the ring with an impressive 25(24)-0 record and a reputation as a fearsome puncher. Already an attraction in his native Canada, he was being exposed to viewers in America and Europe by ESPN. Rubio was brought to the Bell Centre in Montreal as little more than a sacrificial lamb; a nice name to go on Lemieux’ record. The Mexican hard-man would make a mockery of those pre-fight predictions. Surviving an early onslaught, “El Veneno” dragged his heavily-hyped opponent into the deep water, forcing his corner to come to his rescue in round seven.

Rubio stunned Canadian fans by stopping Lemieux

That fight, as well as any, typified Rubio’s style. He’ll take a punch to give a punch and is happy to rely on his power and durability to wear his opponent down. Does Chavez possess the hitherto-unseen discipline to box for 12 rounds instead of engaging with Rubio? If not, we’re guaranteed some good action and, either way, it will almost certainly be Junior’s toughest test.

Much like the Lemieux fight, on Saturday night Rubio is supposed to lose. He’s fighting another young, unbeaten, marketable fighter who has the supposedly brighter future. Top Rank has slowly and carefully built Chavez up, expertly guiding him to a World Title. Rubio is regarded as something of a stepping stone; a win lends Julio some legitimacy as a World Champion and moves him towards fights with Antonio Margarito and (so Bob Arum would have us believe) Sergio Martinez.

With big fights on the horizon for his opponent and the might of Top Rank fully behind him, Rubio is, perhaps understandably, nervous that he might not receive fair treatment once the bell rings, or be on the wrong end of a “controversial” decision.

Rubio’s promoters, Oswald and Reginald Kuchle sent an official request to the WBC requesting they replace the allocated referee, Lupe Garcia of Mexico. Despite being a Mexican himself, Rubio is concerned that he could feel under pressure to favour Chavez, given the legendary status of his father.

The WBC, as expected, refused this request but it shows what kind of mentality the challenger holds coming into this fight. He isn’t expecting any favours and knows he’ll probably have to win convincingly to have his hand raised. That should make for an uncomfortable night for Junior and compelling viewing for the fans.

If Chavez is to become the star that his promoters hope he can be, this is the kind of fight he has to win. From 154-168lbs, there are a multitude of potential big-money opponents for him. Marco Antonio Rubio will tell us if he’s ready.

 

Michael McCulloch can be followed on Twitter @MM_Undisputed

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