By Chris Williams: On paper, unbeaten Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (41-0-1, 30 KO’s) would seem to be in for a vicious beating on June 26th in his 12 round bout against John Duddy (29-1, 18 KO’s) at the Alamodome, in San Antonio, Texas. Chavez, 24, has fought no one near as good as the 30-year-old Duddy, and has looked dreadful at times against the B level fighters Chavez has fought in his career. Recently, Chavez Jr. decided to start training with Freddie Roach, the trainer that has worked wonders with Manny Pacquiao and number of other fighters.

But the problem here is that Roach has only been training Chavez Jr. for a mere two months and it’s difficult to imagine Roach being able to make the kind of monumental changes that need to be made in a short period of time for Chavez Jr. to beat a guy like Duddy. It’s understood that Duddy is a flawed fighter and probably not a championship caliber guy but he is still quite good and seemingly better in every department that Chavez Jr. is weak in.

I respect Roach for taking on the tough task of trying to make Chavez into someone that resembles a top contender but I just don’t think Roach is going to be able to make the kind of changes necessary for Chavez to beat a guy like Duddy so soon. Given a year or three, I think Chavez could possibly improve enough to beat Duddy. I say possibly because I see a lot of flaws in Chavez’s game that I suspect are permanent flaws, ones that will be immune to training.

But in three years, Duddy will be nearing 34, and could be vulnerable enough at that point for Chavez Jr. to squeak out a decision. But as far as Saturday night goes, I see Duddy trouncing Chavez, battering him at will and leaving pie in Roach’s face. I don’t think it will be even close. Duddy is a good fighter and I see Chavez as a B level fighter with too much to learn and enough basic tools to bridge the gap. On the line tonight will be the WBC Silver middleweight title.

I never heard of that title before this fight but it is kind of interesting that one was produced for this occasion, as if the bout needed something to validate it somehow. Strangely enough, the winner of this fight could end up facing WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto in another stadium fight by Bob Arum and Top Rank.