Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. successfully made the first defense of his WBC middleweight championship on Saturday evening from Houston, Texas, scoring a Technical Knockout victory in the 5th round over Peter Manfredo. The fight played out pretty much as expected between Chavez Jr. and Manfredo, but it certainly provided some fireworks along the way.
The first round of the Chavez Jr. vs. Manfredo fight began with some tentative feeling out action, and both men were working behind their jabs. Things picked up soon enough in the second round, and JCC Jr. was getting the best of things by far.
He was faster, more technically sound, he hit harder, put hits shots together better, controlled the ring in superior fashion and on down the line. Of course, we knew Chavez Jr. was a better fighter than Manfredo, so none of that was a surprise.
Manfredo began to get a spark in the fourth round, walking forward and landing shots by mixing it up to the body and head, trapping Chavez against the ropes when possible. The beginning of the 5th was the best minute or so of the fight for Manfredo, as he tagged Chavez on several occasions and seemed to find the right rhythm to get his attack going.
Then Chavez Jr. whipped in a huge shot that sent Manfredo staggering. Chavez saw the moment, literally pounced forward and then unleashed an assault against the ropes that forced the referee to call off the action as he had no answer for Chavez’s offense. An exciting, quick fight that went according to plan, pretty much.
After the fight, Chavez Jr. was asked about who he might like to fight next. Sergio Martinez was in attendance for the fight, and of course, Saul Canelo Alvarez is fighting next weekend. Chavez said he’s not scared of anybody, and he’d be happy to face those guys, but it’s up to his promoter. Martinez looked to be licking his chops while watching Chavez fight.
Chavez definitely looked strong, powerful and also quick and with improving technical skills. His offensive game can’t be argued with, and it looks like he has a plus chin as well.
The glaring question that remains is his defense, and how he’ll cope with somebody that’s on level – or above his level – with him in terms of skill. Hopefully we’ll get answers to those questions sooner than later.
