Nick Laham - Getty Images
Bob Arum believes Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will eventually be a better middleweight than these two guys, who aren't middleweights. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Bob Arum is giddy about Julio Cesar Chavez Jr's performance last Saturday in San Antonio against Marco Antonio Rubio, and says that during the course of this year, he'll become the best middleweight in the world.
From BoxingScene.com:
"You saw a guy who started as a kid become a man. In a few more months and a little better training camp where he isn't just taking off the weight, he will beat any middleweight in the world. Any middleweight. Martinez, Margarito, Cotto, any of them," exclaimed Arum.
Well, Arum did actually name one middleweight (Martinez) there, so I guess that's something. Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto are blown up welterweights fighting at junior middleweight, with one of them (Margarito) not even fighting well. Saying that Chavez could beat Margarito isn't exactly a big statement at this point. Why not mention Ricardo Mayorga, too?
Chavez (45-0-1, 31 KO) has definitely gotten better, but Arum's would-be asterisk there is the big deal: He has to start staying in shape, which by all accounts he does not. That's what most everyone believes truly canceled a fight in September against Ronald Hearns, in a camp that did not include Freddie Roach or much from Alex Ariza. And that's why Chavez so mightily struggled to make 160 against Rubio.
Chavez is currently looking at a fight against Andy Lee, which is reportedly being worked on for June 2.
0 recs | 11 comments
This is why I get irritated by attempts to dismiss criticism of Chavez by saying that he’s a mere moneymaker with a belt but since belts don’t matter anyway it’s unfair to hold him to any standard whatsoever. If he’s going to be promoted as a world class fighter by Top Rank and HBO, it’s perfectly justifiable to be critical of him (and yes I’m well aware it obviously won’t change a damn thing).
bachwards - February 9, 2012
If Chavez fights Martinez I’ll never complain about him again.
lightmartyr - February 9, 2012
Haha,
Any of the middleweights in the world: Cotto, Margarito, Pacquiao, JMM, Floyd Mayweather, any of them really.
tkeithwhite - February 9, 2012
Everyone knows Martinez would lay waste to Chavez.
Who does Arum think he’s fooling?
Matt Miller - February 9, 2012
I think we can file this under the usual Bob Arum bullshit quotes list.
Clove_art - February 9, 2012
“Will beat” doesn’t mean “needs to fight.” Arum’s run the simulations and done everything necessary in Fight Night Champion, guys. Trust him.
El Destruyo - February 9, 2012
Chavez brings in such huge numbers
His Mexican fanbase and the Texas numbers were fantastic. So the promotional BS is to be expected.
This kid is so abnormally big I am wondering if there is a developing belief that he can take whatever the current crop of normal middleweights dish out. That does not mean Martinez.
pakinpower - February 9, 2012
With Chavez in particular, I often ask myself what I would do if I managed him. I think it explains some of what we see.
pakinpower - February 9, 2012
That applies to many a fighter
It’s just that very few are the son of JCC
pakinpower - February 9, 2012
Bob was misquoted. He also included Brandon Rios as a middleweight.
PhinsAllDay - February 9, 2012 via mobile
"Bob Arum Believes Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Will Be World's Best Middleweight in 2012"
Not unless he beats Sergio Martinez, he won’t. And they’re not going to let him anywhere near Martinez this year.
BoxAnne - February 10, 2012
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