Click to see the video Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. talked to HBO Sports about his best and worst moments as a professional fighter, even giving some insight into his relationship with his famous father, the legendary Mexican boxer, Julio Cesar Chavez.
Wednesday, August 22 - Chavez write-up/blog Part 1
Discuss your best and worst memory as a fighter, and which wins -- amateur or professional -- have been the most satisfying or memorable?
“My best memory as a fighter is winning the World Middleweight Championship. It was my dream to become a world champion. That’s why I decided to become a professional fighter. Beating Sebastian Zbik in Los Angeles to become the middleweight champion is something that I will never forget and for so many reasons. Not many people believed that I could do it and that inspired me. The select few who did believe in me encouraged me and sacrificed for me. And to win the title only a few blocks from the old Olympic where my father won his first world title, well, that made it even more special for me. My father and I will always be linked together because we won our first world championship belts in the same city.”
"My worst memory was In July 2008 in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico I had a very difficult time in the ring. It was very hot all week and I started getting sick the day before the weigh-in and never fully recuperated after the weigh-in. I had a fever the night before the fight but I went through with the fight and the last two rounds where the most difficult time I had in the ring. I could barely walk and was just standing up because of my pride and my heart. I threw up in the ring after the fight and had a fever”
“My most memorable victory was against Zbik and winning the middleweight championship of the world. It was a very difficult fight early but I was able to come back in the second half of the fight and win it. It is a feeling that will stay with me forever. To hear the ring announcer say, ‘The winner and new...’ That is something I will never forget. That is something I never want to forget. Of course I now like hearing the ring announcer say, ‘ The winner, and still…’ and that’s exactly what he will say in the ring on September 15 after my fight Sergio Martinez ends.”
2 Days: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. & Face Off With Max Kellerman: Chavez Jr./Martinez debuts back-to-back Sat., August 25 at 12:30am ET/PT and 12:45am ET/PT, respectively, on HBO.
Chavez Jr. vs. Martinez takes place Sat., Sept. 15 live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT.
- Julio Caesar Chavez throws a punch at Greg Haugen during a fight at Azteca Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1993. Chavez won the fight. Chavez was a boxing legend for his warrior mentality, and now his son, Julio Chavez, Jr., has picked up the mantle. Photo: Getty Images
- Boxing promoter Don King (L) helps raise WBC super-lightweight boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez's hands in victory after Chavez defeated challenger Terrence Alli of the U.S. 08 May 1993. Chavez, of Mexico, won with a TKO in the sixth round. Photo: Getty Images
- Frankie Randall (left) trades blows with his opponent Julio Cesar Chavez during their fight in Las Vegas, Nevada. Randall won the bout in 12 rounds. Photo: Allsport
- Julio Cesar Chavez (C) of Mexico is surrounded by his son Julio Jr (L) and promoter Don King (R) after judges awarded Chavez a victory in his WBC Super Lightweight Championship bout with Frankie Randall. Chavez won the 07 May 1994 bout after an injury from a head butt from Randall stopped the fight in the eighth round. Photo: Getty Images
- Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez strikes a pose during a workout at a gym 24 July 2000 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The former world champion in three different weight classes, will attempt to regain his WBC superlightweight title when he takes on Russian-born Konstantin Tszyu, who is now based in Australia, on July 29 in Phoenix. Photo: Getty Images
- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. poses with his father, former boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, after Chavez Jr. defeated Ruban Galvan in the Junior Welterweight fight at Boardwalk Hall on June 25, 2005 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. won the fight after Galvan's corner stopped the fight in the second round. Photo: Getty Images
- Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. of Mexico swings a left at Grover Wiley during their Welterweight bout on June 9, 2007 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
- Julio Chavez Jr., left, misses on his jab as Peter Manfredo Jr.avoids the punch during their World Middleweight Championship fight at Reliant Arena at Reliant Park on November 19, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Chavez retained his belt with a fifth round TKO. Photo: Getty Images
- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. of Mexico connects with a right to the face of Troy Rowland during their middleweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Getty Images
- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. of Mexico is congratulated by his father Julio Cesar Chavez after winning his bout against Grover Wileyduring their WBA Welterweight Championship bout on June 9, 2007 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
