By Klaas Mabetlela: Julio Cesar Chavez and Marvin Hagler got me into boxing and when I reflect into the career of JC Superstar, I understand exactly why. It will help some of the younger boxing fans to look into careers of these all-time greats to enhance their understanding of boxing. Younger fans tend to underestimate and undermine the successes of fighters like Chavez simply because they did not see them fight.

In his prime, JC Superstar was rated as the best pound for pound for a very long time and he stands atop as the greatest Mexican fighter of all-times. Chavez fought more title fights (37) and made more title defenses (27) than any fighter in history. He also possessed the longest undefeated record of anyone in the history of sweet science, winning 6 titles in 3 weight divisions. He never lost a fight in his prime and fought the best of his time.

JC Superstar gave a career defining performance when he massacred Edwin Rosario in 11 rounds to win WBA lightweight championship after moving up from Jr lightweight. He was an underdog in the fight against a feared puncher in Rosario. Chavez went on to methodically ripped Rosario apart with short body punches and some ring attendants like the then Iron Mike Tyson were in tears when the fight was stopped. His fight with Meldrick Taylor was voted as the fight of the year for 1990 and fight of the decade for the 90’s. 1990 was also the year in which JC Superstar was chosen as Ring’s fighter of the year.

His fight with Greg Haugen attracted the record attendance crown of 132 274 spectators, the kind of record that would probably never be equaled. He made 20 consecutive title defenses of Jr welterweight title and most scribes rate him as the best of all-times for the division. He fought all time greats like Pernell Whitaker and Oscar De La Hoya and the list of good champs he beat is too long to mention.

Julio Chavez’s longevity in modern era (over 100 wins), style, guts and dexterity put him as one of the very finest to ever grace our fine sport. Long live JC Superstar.