Katsidis Stops Chavez

kat6444By Jim Dower: Lightweight knockout artist Michael Katsidis (25-2, 21 KOs) stopped the hard punching Jesus Chavez (44-5, 30 KOs) in the 7th round tonight at the Frank Erwin Center, in Austin, Texas. Katsidis used his power punching, steady pressure, and superior stamina to wear down the former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Chavez. After the 7th round, Chavez opted not to come out for the 8th round.

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Katsidis-Chavez, Valero-Pitalua & Escobedo-Hernandez Predictions

valero5333By Dave Lahr: Undefeated knockout artist Edwin Valero (24-0, 24 KOs) will be fighting 39-year-old Antonio Pitalua (46-3, 40 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title on Saturday night at the Frank Erwin Center, in Austin, Texas. Ranked number #1 in the division, Valero, 27, is hoping to impress as he’s making his first appearance in the United States in six years since 2003.

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Chavez Decisions Jimenez

chavez554.jpgBy Manuel Perez: Former lightweight/super featherweight champion Jesus Chavez (43-4, 29 KOs) struggled in beating Puerto Rican Daniel Jimenez (17-3, 10 Kos) by a hard fought 10-round unanimous decision on Friday night at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, in Cabazon, California. Chavez, now 35, was making his first appearance in 13 months and only his third fight in almost three years. Chavez, wearing a knee brace on his badly damaged right knee, looked old and slow for most of the fight, missing punches and getting outworked by the younger 27 year-old Jimenez.

Though the final judges’ scores scored the fight in Chavez’s favor by a 97-93, 96-94 and 96-94, it was more of an even fight. I had it scored a draw and if anything, Jimenez appeared to be the better overall fighter. It wasn’t a good sign for Chavez, who if he still hopes to challenge for a title in the future, he’s going to need to improve a lot more over this performance. Jimenez, though a good fighter, isn’t a even a ranked contender, yet he looked like a champion next to Chavez, and easily made him look old and ragged in contrast.

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