Jeff Gross - Getty Images
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is looking at his options for his next fight on June 16th. Potential opponents include Andy Lee and Antonio Margarito. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
After dispatching Marco Antonio Rubio with another uninspiring performance, Julio Cesar Chavez Junior is looking forward to his next fight on June 16th. This would be the weekend after the Pacquiao-Bradley PPV, and presumably the replay will air before this fight.
Even though he had issues making the middleweight limit, it seems that his options are still focused on current middleweights and light middleweights. Junior spoke with Salvador Rodriguez & Ernesto Castellanos of notifight.com and Boxing Scene about his weight issues and potential opponents.
"These things happen [with the weight]. You learn from your mistakes and this will not happen again. I feel very strong in this division and I want to make history. I'm going to rest, analyze the fight and review our mistakes. I liked the way that I was able to avoid the straight right from Rubio, which is the most dangerous thing he has, but I can still get better and we will show you the ring and not just talk about it," Chavez said.
"There is talk of a fight with Andy Lee, talk of facing [Antonio] Margarito, talk of facing [Sergio] Martinez, who everyone wants to see me fight because they consider him the best in the world. Honestly, I do not shy away from anyone. If they pay me enough, I'll fight him. If I would have fought [Martinez] like I did against Rubio, he would have won the fight, but I will prepare much better for that fight. I know how to beat him."
In terms of likelihood, I would rank Margo first, Lee second, and Martinez last. Sergio is not third but last. It is mandatory that Junior at least acknowledges Sergio, but there is no way that Top Rank puts their cash cow in with a monster like Sergio. They may match these two together when Martinez is way over the hill, but not when Sergio is near the top of his game.
The Andy Lee fight is a decent scrap for the reasons that Scott mentioned in his article, but Lee is a southpaw with power. Lee might be a more attractive target this time because his last fight against Brian Vera was in between the middleweight and super middleweight. Anyways, the Margarito fight is a sham matchup because it would be a huge middleweight against a big welterweight. Also, Tony has that whole eye issue that is not going away. Which fight would you guys prefer? Tony or Andy?
0 recs | 18 comments
Martinez
49erEmpire - February 6, 2012 via mobile
I guess DUIs just happen too…
Sammlung - February 6, 2012
And I would prefer Andy all the way. He’ll never fight Sergio.
Sammlung - February 6, 2012
I think the Top Rank matchmakes should strongly consider Troy Lowry. He’s a tough competitor who unfortunately underperformed in his last fight because he was drained. At the full middleweight limit, his experience against name fighters like Lee and Quillin will make for a steep challenge, and his name would be a nice addition to Chavez’s already impressive resume.
bachwards - February 6, 2012
haha
ColtJouvet - February 7, 2012
Andy
As I commented below Scott’s article, my first choice would be Geale, but Lee works for me. No way I’d pay for Chavez-Margarito.
geraldmcgrew - February 7, 2012
andy.
What state would even allow marGaCheato a chance 2 fight?
DiE_HARDFER - February 7, 2012 via mobile
The ones with revenue issues.
pakinpower - February 7, 2012
Texas, West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, New York, etc.
Waldo Rastel - February 7, 2012
I don’t think New York’s in the running, and I don’t think they want to be.
BoxAnne - February 7, 2012
Lee, but we all know who it will be……………………..Margarito.
DPlainview - February 7, 2012
Andy Lee
Better movement, decent jab and a lot of heart. He will sit and trade a few to make it an exciting but short fight.
honorablecbm - February 7, 2012 via iPhone app
Without the eye, I don’t think Chavez would be going anywhere near Margarito. If somehow the eye issue wasn’t there, I’d have him favourite to win.
I didn’t agree with him being allowed to box again anyway, but sadly now with that injury all his fights are going to be ‘punch him in the eye until the ref stops it’.
gravydeath - February 7, 2012
yup
BoxAnne - February 7, 2012
Even if the eye wasn’t a concen, I don’t see how you could favor this version of Margarito. He’s even slower now and his punches have shown to be ineffective against guys at 154, nevermind a full middleweight who enters at 180+. It’s not like he can exactly box Chavez either.
bachwards - February 7, 2012
Pacquiao’s said that he really felt Margo’s power that night, and Cotto afterwards isn’t worth mentioning because the eye was the major factor in that fight. It’s hard to know how shot he is/isn’t because of the eye, but 33 isn’t that old for a fighter who never particularly relied on his speed I don’t think.
Somehow I’ve managed to unconvince myself while writing that, but it’s a hypothetical fight I’d pay for either way. Anything involving Margarito from this point forward, isn’t.
gravydeath - February 7, 2012
Chavez would be over 30 pounds heavier than Pacquiao was the night he fought Margarito. Garcia, the only legitimate junior middle he’s fought on his comeback tour, was laughing at Margarito’s power in a fight that was supposed to make him look good.
bachwards - February 7, 2012
i’m gonna say tony, since this guy ure as shit isnt going away and will never back down, these two could have a war. i mean sure chavez if he’s worth his name should win easily even some will say but if hes gonna fight a fight hes expected to win why not have it against a name who could make for an exciting fight
sparky_mufc - February 7, 2012
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