Undefeated prospect, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is currently under the tutelage of world-class trainer, Freddie Roach, for what will undoubtedly be the toughest challenge of his career thus far. Chavez (41-0-1, 30 KOs) will face John Duddy (29-1, 18 KOs) on June 26 at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. The two pugilists will compete for the vacant WBC Silver middleweight title.
Despite his undefeated record, Chavez has never been put to the test against real, world-class opposition. Although Duddy has yet to reach the status of top junior middleweights like Sergio Martinez, Kermit Cintron and Alfredo Angulo, he could prove to be a real handful for Chavez.
At a recent press conference, Roach was asked if he thinks that Duddy is a serious threat to Chavez.
?I think he’s a contender. I think maybe he’s starting to go the other way a little bit,? Roach said. ?He’s had a lot of tough fights, a lot of wear and tear. But he’s game. He’s always in shape so we have to be the same. So we can’t go in there thinking we’re going to get him out of there early and think we’re going to get him out of there quickly. We’re going to be ready for twelve, hard rounds.?
Roach’s comments about being prepared for twelve rounds are certainly one of the most important keys to victory for Chavez who is known to run out of gas in the latter rounds.
Duddy was asked what he considered to be Chavez’s greatest strengths.
?Well, I think he’s good at using his height and his range. He’s got a good jab and a tremendous left hook,? Duddy said. ?He just throws it so effortlessly and there’s so much power in it. And you know, I’m sure with that work in there with Freddie, he’s going to learn a few more tricks. But I’m going to go back to the blackboard and work on what I have to do and I’ll be 110% for the job at hand on the 26th.?
Duddy might be a bit generous with his praise of Chavez’s jab. Chavez doesn’t work well from the outside and has a tendency to go to the inside and brawl, often going to the body. This has served him well so far in his career, but he will most likely need more in his arsenal to have a chance at defeating Duddy.
Working with Roach is one of the best ways for any fighter to increase his arsenal and become a more well-rounded fighter, but the two lingering questions at hand are: 1. Has Roach had enough time to change Chavez’s one-dimensional, slugging style, and 2. Is it even possible to change Chavez into more of a boxer?
A Chavez victory could give him a shot at newly crowned, WBO light middleweight champion, Miguel Cotto.
The Top Rank PPV card will also feature the return of former Mexican champion, Marco Antonio Barrera (65-7, 43 KOs) as he faces off against Adailton De Jesus (26-4, 26 KOs).
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