Saturday, April 18, 2015, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-1-1, 32 KOs) will make his highly-anticipated return to the ring against former title-challenger Andrzej Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
The scheduled 12-round fight, which will be at a catchweight of 172 pounds, will headline a Showtime-televised event that will also feature a Super Bantamweight showdown between Oscar Escandon and Moises Flores for Escandon’s interim WBA title.
Chavez, 29, of Mexico, will make his return after a layoff of one year and his father, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., showed concern about Fonfara in a recent conference call.
“I didn’t want this fight. I know that, for my son, I know it’s a hard fight. It’s a difficult fight. And I didn’t want it,” said Chavez Sr.
Indeed, although losing a decision to WBC champion Adonis Stevenson, Fonfara is a top-ten contender in the Light Heavyweight division and gave Stevenson his toughest fight in years.
It is partly why the younger Chavez chose Fonfara. After dealing with weight issues and after coming off a long layoff, he is looking for credibility.
“Fonfara is very strong. But my son wanted this fight. He wanted fighters that have a high category. He wanted a hard fight. And he believed that winning this fight will give him more credibility. And that’s why he chose Fonfara,” said Chavez Sr.
Although the younger Chavez plans to move back to 168 after his fight with Fonfara, a convincing win over the Polish 27-year-old may put him in line for a title shot in a division with titleholders such as Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham and Antony Dirrell.
“At 172, I feel good in sparring. I feel good in training. And I think I’m ready for this fight and ready to win another world title,” said Chavez, who realizes that the 175-pound division is full of strong opponents.
“Oh, these guys very strong. But I think, after this fight, I’m going down to 168 and stay in this weight class. One or two years ago I moved to 175 but that was too much for my body. Now, I’m 168,” said Chavez.
