By James Slater: For months now, deserving middleweight contender Marco Antonio Rubio has wondered aloud if he would ever get “regular” World Boxing Council (WBC) champ Julio Cesar Chavez Junior into the ring. The hard-hitting Mexican earned his shot a while ago, yet waited and waited for his go at the illustrious green belt. Yesterday, however, the official press conference for Chavez Jr Vs. Rubio (along with Wilfredo Vazquez Jr against Nonito Donaire in a super-bantamweight meeting) took place.
Rubio, unbeaten since his failed attempt at winning world middleweight king Kell Pavlik’s hard wear back in Feb. 2009, was all smiles as he posed for photos. Happy at finally getting his chance against a fighter he is sure he can beat – by KO at that – Rubio was met by a stern-faced “Son of a Legend.”
Chavez Jr, unbeaten at 44-0-1(31) has clearly been stung by the allegations Rubio hurled at him over recent months. Denying he has been ducking and dodging Rubio in any way, the 25-year-old used some scary words in explaining why he is unafraid.
“Rubio has said in the past that I would never face him,” Chavez Jr said. “But I’m here now. If I have to die in the ring, then I’ll die in the ring. I really want to win this fight!”
It’s not the first time a high profile fighter has talked about dying in the ring to win and it won’t be the last. This doesn’t make the words Chavez Jr used in Texas any less chilling, however. Rubio, it seems, has really gotten under the Mexican star’s skin.
For his part, Rubio was polite and softly spoken yesterday, merely stating that he has had a hard road and that he will use all his experience when the bell rings in San Antonio on Feb. 4th. Rubio has also said that he feels Chavez will not be able to cope with the ferocity of his punching power, but he has also predicted a good, exciting fight.
Judging by the seriousness of Chavez Jr, who is a proud and vastly improved fighter under the tutelage of great Freddie Roach, we are in for a genuine dog fight next month. Will Chavez opt to play the macho role, determined to beat the man who has insulted him at his own game? Or will the superior boxing skills of the younger man serve him well as he keeps a cool head?
Very much having the look of a 50/50 or pick ’em fight, Chavez Vs. Rubio could be so good a fight that we wind up seeing a rematch, or maybe even a trilogy. I have a feeling Chavez Jr. just might come up unstuck next month, as he opts to stand and trade with the 31-year-old who is 53-5-1(46), so at to prove a point. If, however, Chavez can maintain his discipline and listen to Roach’s instructions, he can win a hard-fought decision.
This one could be special!