By Laz Izada – This Saturday night on pay per view from the Alamodome, in San Antonio, Tx. Bob Arum’s Top Rank presents Latin Fury 15. The main event will be a scheduled 12 round middleweight (160Lbs) bout between 24 yr old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. 41-0-1(30KO’s), ranked # 1 at Jr. Middleweight (154Lbs) by the WBC. Taking on 31 yr old “Ireland’s” John Duddy 29-1(18KO’s) ranked at Middleweight (160Lbs) by the WBC # 7 and WBO #14.
It will be interesting to see who comes out victorious as it is said in boxing circles that these guys haven’t faced real convincing competition yet. There string of knockouts has been against inferior opponents. Once they step it up a bit they win by decision, draw, or lose..
Chavez Jr. which has no amateur experience toughness bouts have been a draw then a majority decision victory over Carlos Molina 17-4-1(5KO’s) in 2005 and 2006, then in 2008 a split decision, then a unanimous decision win against Matt Vanda 42-11(22KO’s). Chavez’s last bout in November of 2009, he scored a unanimous decision victory against Troy Rowlands 25-3(7KO’s) which was later ruled a no contest because he tested positive for the banned diuretic Furosemide. His suspension ended June 14th of this year. Hired gun Freddie Roach has come in to train Chavez Jr. They have been working together for over a month now.
Duddy which has had over 100 amateur bouts has scored decision victories over aging Yory Boy Campos(2006) and Howard Eastman(2007).In 2009 he defeated common opponent Matt Vanda 42-11(22KO’s) by unanimous decision , then afterwards in 2009 lost a split decision to Billy Lyell 22-8(4KO’s). His most recent match in March of this year he defeated Michael Medina 23-2(18KO’s) by split decision.
From my assessment of this bout I believe there will not be a knockout which would be the only way I feel Duddy wins the bout. I see Chavez Jr. winning in a close fight by split decision. Both fighters will give it their all. Then after the bout Arum would continue talking (promoting) a bout at 154Lbs between Chavez Jr. and Cotto, Mexico versus Puerto Rico.
What do you think? How do you see it?