Marco Antonio Rubio To Finally Get His Shot Vs. Chavez Jr. Feb 4th?

Marco Antonio RubioBy James Slater: With the WBC recently deciding to allow both Sergio Gabriel Martinez (the “real” middleweight world champion) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (the “regular” WBC middleweight ruler) to each take a voluntary defence before meeting one other, it looks like long-time contender Marco Antonio Rubio of Mexico will get his shot at Chavez.

The fight is up as happening on Feb. 4th in San Antonio (according to Boxrec) and fans all over are talking about the match-up.

31-year-old Rubio, 53-5-1(46) has been waiting for the longest time. Having won ten bouts in a row since his loss to then middleweight king Kelly Pavlik in Feb. 2009, Rubio has won at least two WBC elimination bouts, his upset stoppage over the hyped David Lemieux this past April really getting the Mexican noticed. Constantly calling out Chavez Jr. as he has been, Rubio has more than earned his chance.

But can the incredibly heavy-handed warrior get the win now that he has (probably) got the fight?

25-year-old Chavez Jr, 44-0-1(31) has really looked an improved fighter recently. Trained by the great Freddie Roach, “The Son Of A Legend” has seen off good fighters like John Duddy, Sebastian Zbik and, last time out, Peter Manfredo.

Possessing good boxing skills and the ability to fight on the inside and hang tough when the need arises, young Chavez can no longer be looked at as a hype-job who got where he is merely because of his name. Chavez cannot be looked at as the best 160-pound fighter out there (or even the second or maybe not even the third best at the weight), but his stock is gradually rising. A win over Rubio would silence a few more critics.

I think we will see a great action fight on Feb. 4th (with the card also set to feature the sensational Nonito Donaire going up against WBO super-bantam champ Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.). Rubio will take the heat right to Chavez, and Junior will either trade with him or get on his bike and utilise his boxing skills. At some point, however, Rubio’s hammers will get to Chavez Jr. and I think the real fight will then break out.

Chavez, in my opinion, will have to come through some incredibly rough patches, but I think he will be able to grit his teeth and rumble onwards. This fight will bring out the best in Chavez Jr, with the Mexican reaching his full maturity – this fight being his baptism of fire.

Look for Chavez Jr. to survive some rocky spells, maybe even a trip to the canvas, before rallying to pull out the points win in a thriller. The hard-fought win will serve Chavez well; preparing him for the really hard fight with Martinez!