THE REDEMPTION OF JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR

By James Blears
Gone are the wayward ways which squandered his talents…here to stay is the focus, dedication, visible pride and sheer determination to fight as he’s never fought before, come what may, in May.

As we rolled into the Otomi Center for mega presser, in a St Trinians style jalopy bus/coach,  Julio has just completed a multi round sparring session.  Attired in a black sweat suit, his hair is drenched,  his forehead is dripping and his face is  drawn, etched in concentration.  Lean, rather than gaunt, he’s visibly slim, with  his body stripped of everything, apart from the bare muscular essentials. Matured, he’s no longer  uncertain, unready, shy or overshadowed. Namely,  Julio is his own man, on his own mission…to win.

Confident speaking English, Julio said: “I’m better for this than him, it’s my natural weight category, I’ve got my passion for boxing again and I’m training very hard to win the fight. When two Mexican fighters go to the ring it’s a great fight.  For me the decisive factors will be my determination and my heart.

Julio’s Family is with him at Otomi.  His young daughter sits on his Father’s knee.  Julio Sr is taking a sensible and discreet back seat. This isn’t about him!  Julio’s Wife and Step Mother stand  close to the elevated ring, in the almost brand new, yet slightly dusty Otomi Gym.  A far cry from the glorified draughty greenhouse, though which the wind used to whistle,  atop this bleak, isolated and elevated  rock outcrop, three and a half thousand meters above sea level.

Julio’s Matchmaker Sean Gibbons is also at hand.  As he points out, he’s invested a fair amount of money in this fight, and he’s more than quietly confident in its outcome: “The biggest difference in this preparation is that Julio is again in love with boxing. He’s enjoying it and having fun. Everyone around him brings good vibes, good karma.

“Julio’s not coming down from two hundred pounds this time. After December 10th, he maintained his weight, and he was about one eight five pounds starting this camp. Last fight he could have made 166 pounds, if he’s wanted to, but we came in at 167.9 pounds. Over the last few months, Julio has maintained a schedule on his weight and he’s doing it the right way.”

In 2012, Julio was not in a place he should have been mentally, coming into the Martinez fight. And over the last four years, he’s beat himself up. So this is his redemption and this fight is the legacy for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. This is all about him, and people are going to be amazed.”

An increasingly frail Nacho Beristaín, who’d himself have little problem in making the featherweight  limit, has been working with Julio for more than two months, teaching him more sophisticated and particular punch selection, reaction consequence for action,  while strictly tightening up a hitherto sloppy defence, which worried the Hall of Fame Coach.  Julio will be using his legs and measuring distance, avoiding, slipping and parrying, rather than taking blows.  Come fight night,  Julio won’t be an easy or wide open target.  Nacho freely concedes that more time would have obviously been better, but he says he’s been agreeably surprised by Julio’s application, dedication,  being a listening post, rather than previously deaf as a post. Nacho says Julio is very strong indeed and the weight is not a problem.  He’s still ten pounds over the stipulated limit, but that will he shed sensibly, properly and professionally.

By marked physical contrast to Nacho, burly physical conditioner Angel “Memo” Heredia states: “I’m very proud of Julio. He’s a great fighter with fire and real determination.  It’s taken a lot of effort and a great deal of strength to accept improvement. He’s kept his word with each and every commitment.  This has been physical, but also tactical.  Our aim has always been to train for the fight not the weight, but is weight is excellent and manageable three weeks out, with no problems. ”

When it was his turn to speak at the head of the table, Nacho, who invariably choses his words with care, wasting none, suggests: “A fight between Mexicans is a natural.  Julio is different in the gym and in the ring.  He’s got the determination and disposition to win.”

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman said: “Julio looks tremendous.  He’s ready mentally and physically and now it’s a matter of pace, before everything happens in Las Vegas. Julio is determined and calm. This is a different Julio.  It’s a very solid training team. They bring order and strategy, so I’m confident it’s going to be a tremendous fight.”