Julio César Chávez
“El Gran Campeón Mexicano”
Titles & honours
- WBC Super Featherweight Champion (1984–1987)
- WBA Lightweight Champion (1987)
- WBC Lightweight Champion (1988)
- WBC Super Lightweight Champion (1989–1994, 1995–1996)
Biography
Born Ciudad Obregón, Sonora in 1962, Julio César Chávez is the greatest Mexican fighter in history and the most successful body puncher of the modern era. Held a 90-fight unbeaten streak from his pro debut (1980) until February 1994, when Frankie Randall handed him his first loss (in a fight Chávez later won the rematch). His pressure style — short hooks, infrequent jabs, perpetual forward movement, body shots that compounded over rounds — is taught as the textbook example of Mexican pressure boxing. Famous for never being knocked off his feet in 115 fights despite fighting hard pressure from Edwin Rosario, Meldrick Taylor (the 12th-round stoppage with 2 seconds left, still one of the most controversial endings in boxing), and Oscar De La Hoya. Retired in 2005.