Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Returns To His Roots For His Last Career Stand

By Jake Donovan

You’ve heard it all before: a boxer on the wrong side of his prime insists this is the camp where he’s put it all together. He realizes the mistakes he’s made and shortcuts he’s taken in the past, and that he’s entering this latest bout as if it’s the last of his career.

Sadly, it seems to accompany the buildup for any given bout involving Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. ever since he lost his middleweight title and unbeaten record more than four years ago. Long considered a poster child for the token spoiled and entitled athlete, he’s taken a different approach to what has to be considered his last stand: returning to his roots

The second-generation boxer – who was never going to live up to the incredible achievements of legendary Hall of Fame-inducted Julio Sr. – is at least attempting to make amends with those whom he’s let down over the years. His latest comeback tour takes him back home, as he ends a 17-month layoff with a showdown versus super middleweight contender Dominik Britch.

The scheduled 10-round clash – which will be contested at a maximum catchweight of 169 lbs. (for now, anyway) – will air via slight same-day tape delay on TV Azteca in Mexico and on beIN Sports Español in the United States (11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT) from Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.

It will mark Chavez Jr.’s first bout since a 10-round decision win over Marcos Reyes last July, as well as his first ring appearance in his native Mexico since a points victory over Billy Lyell nearly six years ago in Jan. ’11.

“I am very happy to be able to return to the ring after such a long time, and also to return to Mexico to fight,” said Chavez (49-2-1, 32KOs), who has been training his hometown of Culiacan, Mexico for this bout.

Back in his good graces for the homecoming of sorts is his famous father, Julio Sr. – with whom he’s endured a strained relationship in recent years but has since reconciled.

“I believe my son will be ready for this Saturday night and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be a world champion again,” insists Chavez Sr., whose incredible Hall of Fame career included title reigns in four separate weight classes. “He has worked very hard and he will show everyone on Saturday how determined he is to get back to the top.

The family reunion extends to his training camp as well, as uncles Roberto and Rodolfo Chavez have helped him prepare for this event. Noted – if not troubled – strength and conditioning coach Guillermo “Memo” Heredia has been tasked with ensuring Chavez Jr. makes weight the right way while maximizing his strength

“I am want to get back to the top of the sport and this will be a good fight to start my road back towards a championship fight,” Chavez Jr. claims.

It’s a song that’s been played over and over in the life of a career-long slacker, who managed to pull it all together just long enough to at least obtain alphabet hardware.

He turned that trick in June ’11, outpointing Sebastian Zbik in a battle of unbeaten middleweights vying for a vacant crown. His feat was a watershed moment for his boxing-rich nation, becoming the first-ever boxer from Mexico to win a middleweight title.

Chavez Jr. even took his career seriously long enough to successfully defend the belt three times. He showed up in peak physical condition for his first defense – a 5th round knockout of Peter Manfredo – and turning away the challenges of Marco Antonio Rubio and Andy Lee in 2012 before conceding his crown to lineal champion Sergio Martinez later that year.

The buildup to their bout showed Chavez Jr. at his most spoiled, at times refusing to train, and when he did make it to the gym, not putting in the work necessary to handle a terrific talent like Martinez. Despite the half-assed training effort and giving away all but the first 11 rounds, Chavez Jr. nearly pulled out a miracle, dropping Martinez hard in the 12th and final round at was one punch away from one of the most spectacular come-from-behind knockouts in boxing history.

The moment never came, and the bad news only began to pour in even more so in the aftermath. He tested positive for marijuana – his second failed drug test in the state of Nevada, earning a hefty fine and lengthy suspension.

His career has never since regained momentum, in addition to his popularity declining with each passing bout. He was still enough of a household name to draw considerable viewership in a pair of wins over Bryan Vera – a controversial win in Sept. ’13 where he had to change the terms of the contract as he never stood a chance of making weight – followed by a more convincing victory in March ’14.

A bizarre turn in his career came when he decided to bolt from Top Rank and Zanfer Promotions to join advisor Al Haymon’s growing stable. The move led him to becoming part of the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) movement, but to miserable efforts beginning with a 9th round stoppage loss at the hands of Andrzej Fonfara in an April ’15 clash that saw his televised viewership cut by more than half of the audience he was pulling on rival HBO.

Chavez Jr. rebounded with the earlier mentioned win over Reyes in July, his last bout to date as injuries, changes in trainers and hard discussions over the future direction of his career led to a lengthy – and perhaps much-needed – layoff.

He has since resurfaced with the team who put its best foot forward to scratch legitimacy out of a career always earmarked for a sideshow. Zanfer Promotions serves as the lead promoter for Saturday’s event, his first fight back with the company since the rematch win over Vera more than two years ago. 

Awaiting him in the ring is a challenger who was once targeted to challenge Mexico’s first-ever super middleweight titlist. Germany’s Britsch (32-2-1, 11 KOs) was slated to face unbeaten Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in the first defense of his super middleweight crown, only for the unbeaten titlist from Mexico to have to withdraw due to injury.

The visiting boxer gladly accepted a consolation prize, as he now has a crack at an even bigger name in Mexico.

“This fight is a great opportunity for me,” acknowledged Britsch, who has won each of his last five starts, but whom has been out of the ring since February. “I will be facing a (former) world champion who is very popular and a victory over Chavez Jr. will open a lot of doors for me in the international boxing market. I am here to win and take home a victory.”

To his credit, the 30-year old Chavez Jr. acknowledges the threat of what awaits him on fight night. Having long ago cashed in his celebrity credit card, every ring appearance from here on out comes under a microscope, his every move scrutinized until he can convince what’s left of the portion of the industry that still cares whether or not he can rediscover what once helped him transition from a sideshow act to a legitimate player.

“Britsch is a good boxer. He is fast and moves well in the ring,” notes Chavez Jr. “This fight will tell me a lot about where I am at this stage of my career. He’s a good opponent and should be a very good fight for the fans in Monterrey.”

And hopefully an honest effort producing a favorable outcome to restore at least a modicum of respect in his career.

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox_v2