Julio Cesar Chavez Jr v Andy Lee/Freddie Roach v Emanuel Steward

By Boxing News - 06/12/2012 - Comments

Image: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr v Andy Lee/Freddie Roach v Emanuel StewardBy Gareth Rees: On Saturday “Son of the Legend” Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (45-0-1-1nc 31ko’s) returns to the ring to face what is arguably his toughest opponent to date in Andy Lee (28-1 20ko’s).

Some people see this fight as being very close with Chavez edging it over the Irishman Lee. But the battle which I think is more intriguing is the battle of the Hall of Fame trainers with Freddie Roach in Chavez’s corner and Emanuel Steward in Lee’s.

On paper Chavez has got the experience in number of professional fights, but Lee has been boxing since he was 8 and had a decorated amateur career; but as everyone knows Chavez grew up around boxing with a Mexican boxing legend for a father who is in the Hall of Fame. Many quite rightly point out that only recently has Chavez actually been given tests in the ring and was given the WBC Middleweight title shot very kindly by the Mexican based international boxing organization. Andy Lee however has definitely worked his way up for this title shot.

Steward has previously called him a world champion in waiting and he has sparred with some of the best fighters the famous Kronk Gym has to offer including heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Unlike in Chavez’s previous fight against Marco Antonio Rubio his size difference may not be a major factor. Andy Lee is actually the taller fighter which is very rare for a fight involving Chavez at middleweight and that could make him uncomfortable if Lee sits behind the jab that all Emanuel Steward trained fighters possess.

With the fighters being so equal, there is even more importance on the game plan set by the two Hall of Fame trainers. Freddie Roach was inducted to the Hall of Fame last week and it is very deserving. Roach will undoubtedly know if his fighter is to give him a win for the first time as a Hall of Famer, he is going to have to get on the inside and wear Lee down. With the fight being in El Paso, Texas, Roach will know his fighter may be able to benefit from some home town decisions and at times the Texas judges can be worse than Las Vegas ones. Steward will as always get Lee to stay behind the jab and try to out box Chavez and will want Lee to test the chin of Chavez who’s defence at times can be found wanting, and as I said Steward will not want it to go to the judges. Steward will no doubt try to play mind games with Chavez who is often close on the middleweight limit at the weigh-ins and he has said he will not be letting Chavez jump on and off the scales.

The battle of the brains between the two trainers will be as enthralling as the action in the ring. I think Chavez’s natural talent and unrelenting aggression will pay dividends and I can see him winning a close dubious points decision.



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