The
Light-Heavyweight fight between former WBC Middleweight world champion Julio
Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andrzej Fonfara presented an intriguing storyline. In one
corner Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. a fighter who has had struggles in recent times
losing his Middleweight world championship to Sergio Martinez in 2012 and
engaging in two battles with top contender Brian Vera in 2013 and 2014.
The first of those two battles between Chavez
and Vera many observers including this one felt that Vera deserved the
decision. To his credit however, Chavez left no doubts in his rematch with Vera
earning a convincing twelve round unanimous decision. Despite his impressive
performance in his second fight with Vera in March of last year, Chavez entered
into this fight with Andrzej Fonfara having not fought in over a year. In
addition to coming off of a layoff, Chavez was also fighting for the first time
in the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division. Although Chavez fought both of his
fights against Brian Vera at catch weights above the 160lb. Middleweight
division, it did interest me to see how Chavez would respond to being hit by a
natural Light-Heavyweight.
Standing in
the corner opposing Chavez stood top Light-Heavyweight contender Andrzej Fonfara.
Fonfara established himself in the eyes of many as a player in the
Light-Heavyweight division by giving a spirited effort in defeat in his
challenge of WBC world champion Adonis Stevenson in May of last year. Fonfara
rebounded from his loss to Stevenson by scoring a ten round unanimous decision
over Doudou Ngumbu in November of last year.
The fight
between Chavez and Fonfara presented a unique opportunity for both fighters.
For Chavez this fight represented an opportunity to establish himself as a
contender in the Light-Heavyweight division by defeating a recent world title
challenger who is ranked in the top ten in all of the sport’s major world
sanctioning organizations. For Fonfara this fight was not only an opportunity
to continue building momentum toward a potential title shot, but one might
argue that a victory over a marquee opponent such as Chavez presented the
opportunity to possibly secure a title shot in the near future.
An intriguing
storyline culminated when Chavez and Fonfara met on April 18th at the StubHub
Center in Carson, California. Stylistically, this fight had the ingredients of
an exciting battle between two fighters who have shown willingness in the past
to go toe to toe with their opposition. What was somewhat surprising from the
outset was the disciplined approach in which Andrzej Fonfara executed his
offense.
Fonfara
dictated the pace of this fight from the beginning keeping Chavez at distance
and landing combinations. Fonfara’s ability to place his punches well was
complimented by a high defensive guard and his ability to use lateral movement
to keep Chavez from being able to get on the inside for significant periods of
time.
As the fight
progressed Fonfara continued to dictate how the fight was fought. Fonfara’s
combination punching, ability to counter Chavez, and return offense whenever
Chavez was able to get close and let his hands go was the story of this fight. Chavez’
defensive flaws were something that Fonfara was able to take full advantage of
as Chavez would often lead in with his head and in the process leave openings
for Fonfara to execute his offense.
Even though
Chavez needed to find a way to close the distance between himself and Fonfara
and get on the inside of the naturally bigger fighter who also had a three inch
reach advantage over him, Chavez’ jab was noticeably absent throughout much of
this fight as he often walked forward without throwing punches or using head
movement to get on the inside. This resulted in Chavez taking significant
punishment before being able to let his hands go.
Despite being
able to have his moments periodically throughout the fight, it became evident
as the rounds went on that Chavez was gradually taking a beating at the hands
of Fonfara. Although it was clear as the fight progressed that Fonfara was in
control, what was impressive about his performance in my eyes was how he
maintained his approach throughout and did not leave Chavez too many openings
to attempt to turn the fight in his favor. Even though Fonfara would suffer a
point deduction in the seventh round for shoulder butting Chavez, it did not cause
him to change his strategy.
In the ninth
round Fonfara dropped Chavez with a short left hook to the head. Although
Chavez would get up from the knockdown, the first of his career, the bout would
come to an end at the conclusion of the ninth round as Chavez would ask his
corner to stop the fight indicating a possible leg injury.
The victory
for Fonfara however, would be overshadowed briefly by fans who showed their
displeasure of the stoppage by throwing beverages at the ring. Whenever
situations such as this arise where debris get thrown in the ring in response
to the outcome of the fight, readers have seen this observer periodically reference
the scene that followed in the aftermath of John John Molina’s tenth round
stoppage of Tony Lopez in their second fight in October 1989.
In that fight
Molina dominated the action from start to finish and administered a beating to
Lopez throughout. The one-sided fight was stopped in round ten causing a near
riot from the pro-Lopez crowd in Lopez’ hometown of Sacramento, California at
the Arco Arena. A similarity between that fight nearly twenty-six years ago and
this fight between Chavez and Fonfara is that like Chavez, Lopez was
significantly behind on the official scorecards and was not in a position where
he could win the fight by decision.
The scene
that developed in the aftermath of the stoppage of the second fight between
Lopez and Molina remains one of the most ugly this observer has ever seen in
the sport. Molina, who won the IBF Jr. Lightweight world championship from
Lopez in that fight and his handlers, had to run for cover following the fight
being stopped.
Dr. Ferdie
Pacheco, who was doing commentary on the broadcast of the fight for NBC Sports
perhaps put it best when he said that the aftermath of that fight was a
disgusting commentary on how far misplaced enthusiasm can go in sports as Lopez
was significantly trailing on the scorecards and it was merciful in Pacheco’s
opinion that the fight was stopped. The same can easily and perhaps should be
said in regard to the fight between Andrzej Fonfara and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Although it
was clear that the majority of fans who attended the fight between Chavez and
Fonfara were supporters of Chavez, the reaction to the stoppage from the crowd
in attendance was quite frankly unwarranted and unacceptable. Unlike the scene
that emerged in the aftermath of the second Lopez-Molina fight, the scene that
followed Andrzej Fonfara’s stoppage of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would not be as
chaotic as things would quiet down quickly allowing Fonfara to be formally
announced as the victor and for both fighters to give post-fight interviews and
leave the ring at their own pace.
The brief
ugly scene that emerged shortly after the fight was stopped however, should not
overshadow the performance of Andrzej Fonfara. Fonfara not only confirmed his
status as a legitimate Light-Heavyweight contender to those who may not have
given him that credit prior to this fight, but he also dominated a fighter who
was moving up in weight and who has enjoyed marquee status throughout his
career.
It will be
interesting to see where the twenty-seven year old Fonfara goes coming out of
this fight. Fonfara, who called out Adonis Stevenson for a rematch after his
victory over Chavez may have to wait for his opportunity for another shot at a
world title as Boxing fans and experts alike have been calling for a
unification bout between WBC champion Stevenson and undefeated unified
WBO/IBF/WBA world champion Sergey Kovalev to determine an undisputed
Light-Heavyweight world champion.
If a fight
between Kovalev and Stevenson can be made in the near future it seems logical
that Andrzej Fonfara could face the winner of that fight based not only on his
performance against Chavez, but also his status as a top ten contender in the
WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO Light-Heavyweight ratings. Fonfara certainly
deserves a rematch against Stevenson if it can be made and he would also pose
an interesting challenge for Sergey Kovalev. We will have to wait and see what
the future holds for Andrzej Fonfara, but it is clear his stock continues to
rise coming out of this fight.
As for Julio
Cesar Chavez Jr. it is difficult to tell what he might do coming out of this
fight. One should remember that this was Chavez’ first fight in the
Light-Heavyweight division and to his credit he chose to face a legitimate
contender who recently fought for a world title. Some might say that Chavez
could have opted to face someone who was not ranked in the top ten and perhaps
someone who is not well known for his first fight as a Light-Heavyweight.
Even though
Chavez came out of this fight with Andrzej Fonfara on the losing end, he
deserves credit for choosing to face one of the best fighters in the division.
Although Chavez has lost two of his last four fights and has suffered the first
knockout loss of his professional career, this observer does not believe that
Chavez is a shot fighter by any means.
This fight
could be viewed as scenario of a naturally bigger man in Andrzej Fonfara simply
besting a fighter in Chavez, who was moving up fifteen pounds above the weight
where he was a world champion. In terms of what route Chavez might take next
there are a few interesting options.
One option
might be that Chavez moves down in weight to the 168lb. Super-Middleweight
division where he is ranked in the top five by both the WBC and WBA. Although
one might assume that the loss to Andrzej Fonfara might affect Chavez’ standing
in the Super- Middleweight ratings, despite the fight taking place in a
different weight class, perhaps moving down in weight to Super-Middleweight
might be viewed as the best option for him.
Another
option could be that Chavez chooses to continue competing as a
Light-Heavyweight and if so he could find himself in position to secure a
lucrative fights against some of the best fighters that the division has to
offer. Despite losing this fight against Andrzej Fonfara, Chavez does still
have a sizable fan following and is still a marquee draw in the sport.
Although one
might say that the scene that briefly emerged following the stoppage of this
fight came from fans who may not have been aware that Chavez himself asked for
the fight to be stopped and now knowing that it was he who ultimately stopped
the fight that Chavez’ marquee value might be damaged going forward, I
respectfully disagree. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has now competed in fifty-two
professional fights, winning forty-eight of those bouts as well has earning a
draw along the way.
It is true
that Chavez has now suffered two losses in his career, but many great fighters
throughout the history of the sport, including Chavez’ father the legendary
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. have at one time or another suffered setbacks and were
able to rebound from them and go on to have continued success in their careers.
This observer believes the twenty-nine year old Chavez needs time to regroup
and if he can bounce back from this defeat, his loss to Andrzej Fonfara may
ultimately be viewed as a bump in the road of what could be viewed as a great
career when all is said and done.
“And That’s
The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing
Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
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