Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KO’s) made the newly agreed upon weight limit of 173 pounds by weighing-in at 172.4 pounds while Brian Vera (23-6, 14 KO’s) tipped the scale at 171.2 pounds.
Fight Time: 10:15 pm ET / 03:15 London Broadcast U.S.: HBO Broadcast: U.K. Sky Sports (Main pic courtesy of HBO Boxing)
Although Julio Cesar Chavez was only 1.2 pounds heavier at yesterday’s weigh-in, he’s naturally bigger and will have rehydrated to his true weight by the time he enters the ring tonight.
The size difference will benefit Chavez and prove disadvantageous for Vera.
Chavez Jr is the naturally bigger and stronger fighter and will physically impose his size on Vera throughout the match. Look for Vera mount his offensive attack early in order to challenge the normally slow-starting Chavez. But unfortunately for Vera, the Texan’s punches will not phase the strong-chinned Chavez.
Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez (51-2-2, 28 KO’s) landed nearly double the punches of Chavez but was not able to knock down or seriously hurt the Mexican.
Why? This is, in part, due to two reasons:
1) Chavez is blessed with the same iron jaw his legendary father Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. possessed, and 2) Julio enters the ring at a much higher weight than his opponent. He’s essentially a light heavyweight fighting middleweights, making it easier for him to absorb shots from smaller men.
When Chavez defended his WBC Middeweight title against Andy Lee, the Mexican star suffered leg cramps and had a very low work rate. Nevertheless, Chavez took the best Andy Lee could dish out yet remained unhurt. Chavez ultimately knocked him out in the 7th round.
After the fight Andy Lee stated, “He was too big and too strong.”
This will also be the case against Brian Vera. Chavez is just too big and too strong for him. And this is the underlying reason why he has so much difficulty making weight. His manager Billy Keane told USA Today, “He’s trained the way he has for all his previous fights, he just grew into a different body in the year he was off and just wasn’t able to get there in the way that he previously got there.”
Should he have moved to a heavier weight class ? Yes, he’s obviously outgrown the division – But instead of moving up in weight, he’s always been adamant about fighting at middleweight where he can use his size and strength as a major advantage.
Brian Vera is on a hot streak, winning his last four fights. However, those opponents are not of the same caliber as Chavez. Also, Vera’s last loss was against the same Andy Lee who was overpowered and knocked out by Chavez, a fate Vera will also face.
Chavez will more than likely come in even bigger tonight, perhaps weighing around 185 pounds upon entering the ring.
Chavez Jr vs Vera Prediction: Chavez by TKO in the 8th round
