Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. Makes Champ Dad Proud

By Michael Lopez

There’s something about famous Juniors! Carrying the name of a superstar Dad isn’t always easy, but in the Latino world, it’s led to some pretty big success stories: Actor Freddie Prinze Jr., skateboarding stud Paul Rodriguez Jr., and now Julio César Chávez Jr.

You’ve got to admit it would be tough to live up to a boxer who won six titles in three weight divisions and was once named best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Especially if you chose to follow in the same field! But Julio Jr.’s pulling it off and getting some major media attention.

In the eight years that he’s been boxing professionally, 24-year-old Julio’s never lost a fight and last month delivered some major havoc to Irish Middleweight John Duddy. Going the distance to 12 Rounds, Chávez earned tons of notoriety for the high-profile win.

“John is the toughest fighter I’ve faced so far,” Chávez said. “He kept the pressure on and really pushed me farther than I’ve been to this point in my career. But I knew coming in that he was going to be challenging, and I was happy to walk away with the victory.”

What made the Duddy victory so noteworthy? Well, for one thing, Julio Sr. was at his side when he entered the ring. Secondly, it was at the historic Alamodome, where papa Chávez battled Pernell Whitaker back in 1993. And third, it was his first fight with trainer Freddie Roach.

Who’s Freddie Roach? Well, besides being voted Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America since 2008, he also trains golden gloves golden boy Manny Pacquiao. Not a bad resume, and a great addition to the Chávez team.

With De La Hoya and Julio Sr. retired and gone, it’s great to have a new Latino ring king to root for.

On September 11, 2010 Julio will fight on a card with Mexican legend Erik Morales.
Best of luck Julio César Chávez Jr., we can’t wait to see you kick butt!

Source: [Yahoo! Sports]

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Tags boxing, Julio César Chávez Jr., Manny Pacquiao