More Hi-Jinks From Julio Cesar Chavez Jr?
Recently, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (51-3-1, 33 KO’s) and Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-3, 29 KO’s) staged the first official presser for their super middleweight showdown on December 20. The bout was originally to take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. However, the bout was relocated after Junior was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
Per Junior’s enrollment in the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program through 2020, he must submit to random drug testing to remain in compliance. However, after recently being tracked down to be tested, the fun-loving pugilist refused to provide any samples. NSAC would suspend him as a direct result. This would briefly place the fight in jeopardy before Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Promotions moved the contest to Arizona.
Obviously this was a bad look for Junior, who has already failed two previous drug tests. The first was in 2009 for Furosemide and the second time, in 2012, was for marijuana. In both cases, Chavez Jr. faced a fine and suspension. Despite being enrolled in the Clean Boxing Program Junior, felt as though he had no obligation to provide any blood and urine. As reported to Boxing Social, Junior feels that this matter will be rectified accordingly.
“No, I don’t know what happened because I don’t have a license for a professional fight now. So it’s impossible to decline a test because I don’t have a license for a professional fight. But it’s not my problem, that’s for my lawyer.”
EVOLUTION OR FRUSTRATING REPETITION?
Roughly three month ago, Chavez Jr. traveled to Mexico to collect a first round knockout victory over Evert Bravo (25-11-1, 19 KO’s). Of Bravo’s 11 losses, 10 were by stoppage. Prior to the piñata-chinned Bravo, Chavez Jr. had not competed in the ring for over two years. In his prior outing on May 6, 2017, Junior lost to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in a completely abysmal performance.
“I have a good fight in Mexico, I win in the first round so somebody ask me if I want to Danny Jacobs and I say, ‘yes’ because it’s a good opportunity for me. I continued training after my fight, so I’m ready.”
Following 36 minutes of being socked in the mouth and ribs, Chavez Jr. lost all twelve of the available rounds on all three scorecards. Despite being a Canelo card, believe it or not, all the judges got it right on the money.
The fight with Canelo was his only outing in 2017. Likewise, Chavez Junior stepped into the ring for just a single prizefight in 2016. This means when Junior faces Jacobs, he will be jumping back into the deep end of the talent pool for the first time in a long time. Although, it’s worth mentioning that Daniel Jacobs himself is coming off very flat performance loss to Alvarez.
Let Junior tell it, he is rededicated to the sport and has his mind set to capture a world title. Reflecting back on his last high stakes prizefight with the redhead though, it’s outrageously difficult to see anything like that happening. With this being said, December 20 will be here in the blink of an eye and Chavez Jr. will have his day in the ring to prove or betray his claims.
“I think the time away from sports, I’m thinking retire, or continue in boxing? So I want to continue to fight. I think that I have something more to show the people, I’m ready to fight.”
By: Bakari Simpson
