Is Mexican star and former champion Julio Cesar Chavez Junior once again committed, fully dedicated and ready to stay as such as he tries to get his latest comeback off the ground? The 30 year-old says so and, in speaking with ESPN.com, Chavez Jnr said his aim is to engage in further world title fights down the road.
Chavez, 49-2-1(32) will return to action after well over a year out this December 10, against Germany’s Dominik Britsch in a ten-rounder to be fought at an agreed weight of 170 pounds. Chavez Jnr – again promoted with Zanfer with whom he has reunited after a split with Top Rank – says he is happy with the quality of his comeback opponent, but he is already looking at bigger fights. Much bigger fights. The former WBC middleweight ruler says he wants either Saul Canelo Alvarez or Gennady Golovkin.
Chavez Jnr, who has had a well-documented battle with the scales, says he can get down to 164-pounds for an all-Mexican super-fight with Canelo – a fight that he says “would be for the Mexican people.”
“I am very excited to return to boxing,” Chavez said as quoted by ESPN.com. “In my return, I wanted a rival of the level of Britsch. Surely, it will be a great fight for the fans.”
Once he gets his return fight out of the way, Chavez hopes for a major fight and one with his countryman Canelo seems to be at the top of his list.
“It would be a fight for the people, for the Mexican public,” Chavez said of a Canelo clash. “I imagine they want to see it. And on the weight, I think it would have to be negotiated. I can make 164 pounds for Canelo. My goal is to fight in one or two fights for a world championship. I want to be champion again, but if there is a major fight with Canelo, with Golovkin, of course I would take it.”
But will either superstar look Chavez’ way? If he can get some momentum going by looking good in his return and then maybe one more fight after the December bout, maybe Chavez will get the fans calling for that Canelo match-up. Back in the day, when he was middleweight champ, Chavez proved his worth as a fighter. But today, after all he’s been through – injuries, quitting on his stool, drinking, weight problems – it’s anyone’s guess how much Chavez has left to offer.
Let’s see how he looks against Britsch before we make judgement.