Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (L) lands a left hand to the head of Brian Vera. (Getty)
With only a month until his next fight, Mexican superstar Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. feels that he’s firing on all cylinders and it’s full steam ahead.
“I’m training very well,” Chavez said. “I’m training (at a higher) level than the best. I’m doing more physical training (and I’m getting closer to the) weight of 172 pounds. And I think I’m in great shape, you know? I have a lot of time and don’t stay in this kind of shape.”
Chavez takes on Andrzej Fonfara (26-3, 16 KOs) on Saturday April 18 at The StubHub Center in Carson, California. The fight will be carried live by Showtime Championship Boxing at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT.
Former WBC Middleweight champion Chavez (48-1, 32 KOs) was last in the ring outpointing Brian Vera in a March 2014 rematch, having also beaten the veteran brawler in their prior encounter in 2013. Previous to his two meetings against Vera, 29-year-old Chavez had suffered his only career-defeat at the hands of Sergio Martinez in a stunning 12-rounder.
Chavez assures fans that he will be in top shape come April 18, despite his recent one-year layoff.
“I feel good,” Chavez said during a recent media conference call in support of the upcoming bout. “I know it’s difficult when you’re off. It’s difficult to regain your timing. But I’ve been training, working at my skills.”
“And I think, you know, I’m very confident because I have spent all my life in boxing,” Chavez continues. “I’m in the 13th year of my professional career. So I don’t think this is a problem because this fight is at 172 pounds. I don’t need to have a problem with weight. And 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.”
Andrzej Fonfara celebrates his Light Heavyweight knock out win over Gabriel Campillo. (Getty)
Polish-born Fonfara, 27 years old, comes to the fight having defeated Doudou Ngumbu after being decisioned by world champ Adonis Stevenson in May 2014.
“I’m feeling great,” Fonfara said. “I think Chavez Jr. is a great fighter, world champion. And you know, it’s good fight for me. I trained hard for the fight. We got very good camp. Now, we start a sparring session. You know, my weight is good. My training’s–all trainings are good. I spent two weeks in Houston. I’m trained there, too. Then I’m back to Chicago. We finished camp here. And I’m–you know, I’m ready for meet Chavez in the ring April 18 and show him I’m better boxer.”
Chavez, who trains with legendary cornerman Joe Goossen, has his own ideas about who will be the better boxer. But he agrees with his opponent that, come next month, it’ll be bombs away.
“I’m proven in the ring,” said Chavez. “I beat the champions. I beat the number one, number two, number three and number four at 168 pounds. And I’ve showed everybody, the people, that I can fight, too. I am a good fighter and (I put on good fights). And people like see my fights. My style is a good style for the people. And I think this fight, too, the style of Fonfara is to come to fight, he’s a fighter with a great heart and great chin. And both of us will make a great fight.”
Tickets for the event, which is co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at AXS.com.
Official undercard information for April 18 remains TBA.
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Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: I’m Proven in the Ring