05.12.03 – By Carlos Kalinchuk: Beloved Mexican idol and ring legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. 103-6-2 will be in Houston tonight for a fight. No, it’s not him that’s fighting but his son, Jr. Lightweight Julio Jr. who’ll be lacing up the gloves for his pro debut. This will also be another debut of sorts, when Julio Cesar Chavez makes his American Debut as a Promoter. And what better way to start than to have a show in front of the second largest Mexican County in the country with his son as the co-main event!
Tonight Julio Jr. will take one small step closer to finding out whether it’s in the genes or not when he takes on 0-2 Gerardo Penaflor. Even though no one expects much from Penaflor, a loss this early on would not be an easy pill to swallow.
Also featured on the card will be Mexico’s Melchor Cob Castro 65-12-40 versus Roberto Gomez 15-12 in the main event. The undercard will also feature Jr. Lightweights Victor Urbina versus Joel Padilla 3-4 in a 4 rounder. In a 6 rounder Felix Cora 11-0-2 will be fighting Jesus Valdez (14-14-4). In featherweight action, Benjamin Flores will be fighting Joel Perez and to open the evening, Bantamweight Jose Villanueva will be fighting an opponent to be named.
The elder Chavez has two sons in the fight game currently; however, one is still too young to compete at the professional level. Initially Chavez stated that he didn’t want his son’s to fight, but their desire to follow in their fathers’ footsteps was greater so Chavez relinquished and allowed them to follow their dreams. Although they didn’t sign a letter with a bunch of overpriced attorney’s present, both Julio’s agreed that he would fight for a limited time to see if he’s got “the stuff” to be a professional prizefighter. What better way to kick off your pro career than to have the Greatest Mexican Champion in the history of boxing promoting you? If Julio Jr. makes a career of it, the pressure to be great will always be there but at least he’ll have the calming presence of his father by his side every step of the way.
Doors open at 6:30 PM and Tickets are $100 for VIP seating and $35 for General Admission. The fight will be at the International Ballroom, which is located at 14035 S. Main and Hillcroft. The first fight starts at 7:30 PM.
Carlos “Stiff-jab” Kalinchuk
Contributing Writer & Photographer