Chavez Jr. vs. LeHoullier on September 12th

By Boxing News - 08/28/2009 - Comments

By Eric Thomas: Light middleweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (39-0-1, 29 KO’s) will be fighting the tough Jason LeHoullier (21-1-1, 8 KO’s) in a 10-round bout on September 12th, at the El Palenque de la Feria, in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. This will be a slight step up for Chavez Jr., 23, from the B level fighters that he’s been fighting as of late.

LeHoullier, 31, has good talent, a nice work rate, but mediocre power. The lack of likely why LeHoullier was selected for Chavez Jr., because the last thing Chavez needs is an opponent that can punch hard. Despite the less than stellar opposition that Chavez Jr. has fought since turning pro six years ago in 2003, he finds himself ranked high, number #3, in both the WBO and World Boxing Council light middleweight division.

It’s hard to justify that hard ranking when looking at Chavez’s resume, because it appears to be lacking in quality opponent. As far as I can see, the best fighter that Chavez has fought up to this point is journeyman Matt Vanda, who Chavez fought twice, beating him both times by 10-round decision.

The first victory for Chavez, a 10-round split decision last year in July 2008, was a questionable one because it appeared to many boxing writers and fans that Chavez lost the fight. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only questionable decision that Chavez Jr., because he won a six round majority decision over Carlos Molina in February 2006 that looked as if it should have been a win for Molina.

The two fought three months earlier in December 2005, with the fight ending in a six round draw. Molina looked to have won that fight on my scorecards. At any rate, technically Chavez Jr. is still an undefeated fighter, but he’s not been putting together too many impressive performances since turning pro.

At 23, Chavez Jr., has time to improve as a fighter. But he’s going to have to start showing something soon, because Chavez Jr. will be turning 24 soon, and as of yet, I don’t see the talent there that would indicate that he’s got what it takes to win a title in the light middleweight or any division for that matter.

At this point, I don’t think Chavez is good enough to win a paper title over one of the weaker light middleweights in the division. Chavez appears to be getting bigger and I don’t think he can stay at light middleweight for too much longer without having to drain himself dramatically in order to get down to 154.

One problem with moving up in weight is that Chavez doesn’t have the power, speed or work rate to compete with the top middleweights like Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, Felix Sturm or Winky Wright. Even as a gatekeeper in the light middleweight or middleweight, I don’t think Chavez has the talent to even be that kind of fighter.

From what I see of him, Chavez Jr. looks like a B level fighter, someone who should be ranked in the top 20 to 25 in the light middleweight division. His ranking appears to be inflated by the sanctioning bodies for some reason.

It’s too bad, because Chavez Jr. doesn’t appear to be ready at this point to take on a top 15 opponent. I have my doubts that Chavez Jr. will be LeHoullier on September 12th. Oh, I think Chavez Jr., will win the fight, but I see it as another questionable win for him. Chavez Jr. is a popular fighter, hence he’ll get the victory unless LeHoullier does something spectacular like knocking Chavez down two or three times. Once probably won’t be enough to ensure a victory over Chavez.



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