Cesar Zuniga – Duddy and Chavez JR have been on a course to face each other in the ring for some time now. Both critics and fans have been waiting for each fighter?s step up in competition to arise and show them if they are ready to shine or just be another entertaining fighter that will look up at the top of the division. Neither fighter has fought a fight of this importance in their respective careers to this date, until now. Duddy, who showed some signs of boxing in his last fight will not be able to box with Chavez JR and will have to make the Mexican son of the Icon Julio Cesar Chavez fight a rough, toe to toe fight. Chavez can be hit and sometimes his Mexican heart gets the better of him and he takes more punches than needed. In this fight Duddy will lure him into a fight and Chavez JR will have to face true adversity as I see Duddy being able to hurt Chavez JR. Though he will have to dig deep in this fight, Chavez?s will regain his composure and return to his boxing. His body attack will prove to be the difference and will eventually take its toll and break Duddy down in the later rounds.
Chavez JR by late Stoppage
Dr. Pietro Baio DC ? Come June 26 top rank is bringing us a match up between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and John Duddy. Chavez, a mexican fighter, living off his fathers legacy and training with The Famed Freddy Roach is going to hopefully surprises us. I have been very uninterested in his career and his fights show why. Duddy on the other had lives and trains in NYC and irish favorite will look to prove that his one lose vs Billy Lyell was a fluke. John is a very simple, come forward pressure fighter who likes to defend with his face. I really don?t understand why this fight is a main event. I really cant see either man drawing much outside their native land. I am glad Sergio Martinez decided to give up his WBC jr middle weight belt and not his Middle weight belt. Neither of these men are elite enough to fight for a big name belt. That being said I am looking for Duddy to come out swinging and knock Chavez out. Putting not only Chavez but the boxing public out of their misery. with a record of 41-0 who has Chavez fought. He has been babied way to much and I don?t think you can justify that with ticket sales. I just hope those who are live can justify the ticket price by enjoying the undercard.
By Rick Assad – John Duddy?s once-bright boxing career is slowly winding down, but there may be one final hurrah before the 31-year-old from Ireland throws in the towel. Duddy will meet undefeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on June 26 for the vacant World Boxing Council silver middleweight belt.
On paper, it says that Duddy, who owns a 29-1-0 record with 18 knockouts, may be over-the-hill. This remains to be seen, because Duddy was once a slick boxer, and decent, if not powerful puncher. Chavez?s stock is rising, but he is always going to be compared, though unfairly, to his legendary father, Julio Cesar Chavez, the greatest boxer Mexico has ever produced. The elder Chavez is royalty to many Mexicans, and why not? His ring resume is otherworldly. How about 107-6-2 with 86 KO?s. Think about that. Chavez has more knockouts than most boxers have had fights. If it?s close, the judges will likely side with Chavez (41-0-0 and 30 KO?s). I?m taking the 24-year-old in a tight decision based on his youth and punching ability.
Rene Trujillo ? We hear the phrase ?cross-roads fight? a few times every year as boxing enthusiasts. And even though John Duddy and Julio Cesar Chavez Junior have never been in with top competition, this is exactly the situation they will face when they meet in the ring in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday June 26th. Because this could be the biggest fight they ever get, I look for both fighters to trade bombs much to the delight of the fans that will be watching live and on pay per view. The last time we saw both fighters in combat they did not impress on high profile cards that were suppose to show case each fighter to a wider audience. Chavez put forth a lack-luster effort on the Pacquiao-Cotto undercard and also tested positive for a banned substance after the fight. Duddy looked sluggish his last time out on the Pacquiao-Clottey undercard. These circumstances will lead to a great action fight with the Chavez Jr coming out on top by way of a close decision in a bout that may very well have a few knockdowns.
Judi Abate ? For the Duddy-Chavez bout I?m changing my usual MO in regard to predictions. Even though I believe Chavez has the advantage of winning this bout I choose Duddy to be victorious. There is so much opportunity for Duddy with a win against Chavez that I believe he will give this contest 110%. Duddy to win by late round decision.
Nick Bellafatto ? My only comment I can honestly make about this fight is that I don?t think that Chavez will show any improvment over what he has done in the past because whatever he may have learned with Freddie Roach he has not had enough time to actually absorb those skills to the point where he can realistically execute them in the ring against Duddy. Again as far as Duddy I have not seen much if any of him so to me the fight can go either way. It may just come down to who is in the best condition and who wants it more. That is about all I can say about this bout.
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Latin Fury 15 ? Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Tecate, Latin Fury 15: La Furia de M?xico, will take place Saturday, June 26, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and will be produced and distributed Live on Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, go on sale This Thursday! April 29 at Noon CT, and can be purchased at the Alamodome box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com
