Former middleweight titlist and Son of the Legend Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. returns to the ring in his 2013 debut when he faces No. 1 contender Brian “The Warrior” Vera. The Chávez vs. Vera rumble, scheduled for 12 rounds at the super middleweight division, will take place Saturday, September 7, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. This marks the first time Chávez has fought in Los Angeles since June 4, 2011, when he won the world title over undefeated interim world champion Sebastian Zbik.
Chavez vs. Vera isn’t exactly the most appealing fight out there, but it’s not a bad match either. With Vera’s recent string of success,we actually have him ranked in the top 10 of the middleweight division. While Chavez Jr. should be able to plow right past him, it’ll be fun while it lasts.
Chávez (46-1-1, 32 KOs), of Culiacán, México, returns to the ring for the first time since his thrilling world title loss to Sergio Martinez on September 15. Their Méxican Independence Day spectacular was the highest-attended boxing event in the history of the Thomas & Mack Center, with 19,186, topping the record set by the heavyweight championship rematch between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, which drew 19,151 in 1999.
He captured the WBC middleweight crown in 2011, winning a majority decision over undefeated interim world champion Zbik at STAPLES Center. Chávez successfully defended his title three times, knocking out Andy Lee and Peter Manfredo, Jr. in the seventh and fifth rounds, respectively, and winning a unanimous decision over two-time world title challenger Marco Antonio Rubio.
Vera (23-6, 14 KOs), of Austin, TX, who enters this fight having won six of his last seven bouts, is riding a 16-month, four-bout winning streak. Vera’s current hot streak includes NABO middleweight title victories over Sergio Mora, former world champion Sergeii Dzinziruk, and Donatas Bondoravas, the last two victories coming by way of knockout. Vera, who trains in Houston with Ronnie Shields, is currently world-rated No. 1 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions and Tecate, tickets to Chávez vs. Vera will go on sale This Friday!
July 19, at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased online at http://www.axs.com, by telephone at (888) 929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center box office, Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
