JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ'S BIG FIVE - Part 4

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ'S BIG FIVE – part 4

First spectacular success in another category

After a short time and dominance in the super featherweight division, Julio Cesar Chavez needs a new challenge in his career. The Mexican boxer quickly moved to one idea heavier and continues to accumulate success after success, although it is only at the beginning of the best that he can demonstrate in the professional ring. Chavez was one of the best boxers of the 80s and 90s of the last century and deserves this recognition with the huge number of victories - 107 from a total of 115 meetings. In a series of articles we recall the best matches of Chavez, and the beginning suggests that for the fourth meeting we will go back one idea.

Having already talked about the victories over Hector Camacho, Greg Haugen and Meldrick Taylor, it's time to pay attention to an older match. On November 21, 1987, Chavez fought in his first lightweight title fight against WBA belt holder Edwin Rosario. Ahead of the bout, there were concerns that moving up to a higher division and facing a world champion head-to-head might not go down well with Chavez. The Mexican believes that a loss to Chapo, as his opponent is nicknamed, will mean that all of their world titles and their nine lightweight defenses are thrown to the wind.

After a string of shaky performances, Edwin Rosario won 14 months earlier and just two rounds into his comeback fight with Livingston Bramble. There are more important successes to come before we see the first big fight between Mexico and Puerto Rico and the best boxers from these two countries.

Despite all the worries, the night starts perfectly for Chavez, who looks like a well-oiled fighting machine. Every part of his game is perfected down to the smallest detail and every single action looks just perfect. Constantly his punches find the head or the body of Rosario, who is quickly sent to the ropes, although he looks stronger, more muscular than his opponent.

Despite the apparent dominance of the contender for the WBA lightweight belt, he is calm and waiting for his perfect moment to deliver a heavy blow. At the same time, pressured by events, the Puerto Rican has to take risks and we witness a pretty good defense by Chavez, who manages to avoid several bombs.

The eighth round proved pivotal in the development as it saw Rosario rocked solidly on his end and start the ninth running away from Chavez. However, then it is far from the most correct strategy for the Mexican, who quickly makes his opponent close. In the 10th and 11th parts, the difference in performance between the two began to show even more, and the Puerto Rican world champion's eye was almost closed.

In the last part, Chavez presses his opponent into his corner and hits him even harder. Realizing their man's inability to withstand the incessant attacks, realizing that he will lose the fight anyway, Rosario's corner throws in the towel in helplessness.

Post-match statistics show that 61% of Julio Cesar Chavez's shots hit the target. That's a whopping 450 accurate hits against just 264 received. Boxing has seen and will rarely see such a great rematch win. Therefore, even at the end of 1987, it looks as if the future for "Mr. Knockout" is more than bright.