Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. anticipates Anaheim fight | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The transition ofJulio Cesar Chavez Jr. from novelty to title contender will make an important stop Dec. 4 in Anaheim, when the son of the Mexican boxing legend headlines a pay-per-view card at Honda Center versusAlfonso Gomez.

"This guy's few losses are against great fighters," Chavez Jr. said, referring toMiguel CottoandPeter Manfredo."Winning for me lends credibility. I know it's up to me to prove I can beat these types of guys."

Chavez (41-0-1, 30 KOs) last beat the previously undefeatedJohn Duddyearlier this year in Texas. He's working withManny Pacquiao's trainer,Freddie Roach, and is now talking about moving from Gomez to a shot at world junior-middleweight champion Cotto of Puerto Rico.

"If I beat this guy convincingly, why shouldn't I get the big fights?" Chavez Jr. asked."Miguel Cotto, to me, is a legend, a champion. It'd be a dream come true."

Cotto, recovering from shoulder surgery, is currently without an early 2011 fight and could be scheduled against either of tonight's fighters, Pacquiao orAntonio Margarito, or Chavez, given the circumstances.

A strong pay-per-view draw, Chavez Jr. has also been discussed as a possible foe of Mexico's popularSaul"Canelo" Alvarez, the problem being the fighters' respective promoters aren't dealing with each other.

"That's a big fight," said Chavez's co-promoter,Fernando Beltran. 

"Everyone expects that fight to happen," Chavez Jr. said."For me, now, Gomez is a lot better than Alvarez." 

Chavez said his father for the first time ever won't be able to attend one of his fights. He said the elder Chavez is scheduled to undergo ankle and nose surgeries.

"People expect me to be him -- I can't," Chavez Jr. said."But I do enjoy having those people behind me and I know I need to give them a great performance. I look forward to being there, fighting in {Anaheim}, I have family in that area, and I haven't fought there in a long time."

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: (L-R) Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Nonito Donaire and Alfonso Gomez pose during a press conference for their big fights on Top Rank's "In Harm's Way" card to be held at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 4. Credit: Chris Farina / Top Rank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source