Julio
Cesar Chavez Gonzalez (born July 12, 1962), also known as Julio Cesar
Chavez SR., is a Mexican former professional boxer. He is considered
by acclamation as the greatest Mexican fighter of all time and one
of the best boxers of all time.
Chavez is a six time world champion
in three weight divisions, and for several years was considered the
best pound for pound fighter in the world. In a career that spanned
over 25 years, Chavez won the WBC super featherweight title in 1984,
the WBA lightweight title in 1987 and 1988, the WBC light welterweight
title in 1989 and 1994, and the IBF light welterweight title in 1990.
He holds records for the most successful defenses of world titles
(27), most title fight victories (31), most title fights (37), and
the second most title defenses won by knockout (21, after Joe Louis
with 23). Chavez's record was 89-0-1 going into his first official
loss to Frankie Randall in 1994, before which he had and 87 fight
win streak until his draw with Pernell Whitaker in 1993. Chavez also
set the record for the largest attendance for a boxing match, with
132,274 people at the Estadio Azteca for his fight against Greg Haugen
in 1993.
Chavez was known for his outstanding punching power,
devastating body attack, remarkably strong chin and the relentless
stalking of his opponents. He ranks #24 on ESPN's list of "50 Greatest
Boxers of All Time". On December 7, 2010, he was inducted in the prestigious
International Boxing Hall of Fame for the Class of 2011. He is the
father of prospect Omar Chavez and former middleweight champion Julio
Cesar Chavez.
Early life
Julio Cesar Chavez was born on July 12,
1962 in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. His father, Rodolfo Chavez,
worked for the railroad, and Julio grew up in an abandoned railroad
car with his five sisters and four brothers. Chavez came from a poor
family and became a boxer for money, he stated: "I saw my mom working,
ironing, and washing people's clothes, and I promised her I would
give her a house someday and she would never have that job again.
He began boxing as an amateur at the age of 16 and he then moved to
Tijuana to pursue a professional career.
Career
Chavez made his
professional debut at age 17. In his 12th fight, on March 4, 1980,
Chavez faced Miguel Ruiz in Culiacan, Sinaloa. At the end of the first
round, Chavez landed a blow that knocked Ruiz out. Delivered as the
bell sounded, the blow was ruled a disqualifiation in the ring and
Ruiz was declared the winner. The next day, however, his manager,
Ramon Felix, consulted with the Mexican boxing commission, and after
further review, the result was overturned and Chavez was declared
the winner.
Chavez won his first championship, the vacant WBC
super Featherweight title, on September 13, 1984, by knocking out
fellow Mexican Mario "Azabach" Martinez at the Grand Olympic Auditorium
in Los Angeles, California. Martinez had been the betting favorite
in the bout, due partly to his previous victory over former WBC world
champion Rolando Navarette in a non-title bout. On April 19, 1985,
Chavez defended his title against number one ranked contender Ruben
Castillo (63-4-2) by knocking him out in the sixth round. On July
7, 1985, Chavez defeated former and future champion Roger Mayweather
via a second round knockout. On August 3, 1986, Chavez won a twelve
round majority decision over former WBA and Future IBF Super Featherweight
champion Rocky Lockridge in Monte Carlos, Monaco. In his next bout,
he defeated former champion Juan Laporte by a twelve round unanimous
decision. On March 18, 1987, he defeated number one ranked challenger
Francisco Tomas Da Cruz (27-1-0) by third round knockout. He successfully
defended his WBC Super Featherweight title a total of nine times.
Lightweight
On November 21, 1987, Chavez moved up to the lightweight
division and faced WBA Lightweight Champion Edwin Rosario. Prior to
the bout, there were concerns about how Chavez would handle the move
up in weight against the hard punching Rosario.