SecondsOut Team Picks: Chavez Jr Vs Rubio

Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas Mexican hero Julio Cesar Chavez defends his WBC middleweight title against tough veteran Marco Antonio Rubio As usual our brave army of writers once again put their reputations on the line to pick a winner.

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I see this fight as being much tougher than expected for Chavez Jr. Rubio is a tough experienced foe for any middleweight but he is a nearly man. The type of boxer that will always give value for money and push most 160lbs boxers to the limit. Young Chavez has been brought along slowly with the right fights at the right time and I see this fight as the right time. I do think Chavez will get the decision but it could be a split one and could also be controversial

Chavez Jr pts 12
Clive Bernath
Editor In Chief

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Marco Antonio Rubio earned this title shot by stopping David Lemieux in his hometown of Quebec, Canada. Lemieux was undefeated and on the fast track to his own title shot, and after about four rounds his ascension seemed to be a foregone conclusion. However, Rubio weathered the storm and eventually threw back and landed with authority. Rubio is a tough out for just about any middleweight not named Sergio Martinez, so Jr. better bring his lunch pale to the ring with him. Chavez Jr. could expect a much tougher challenge than the one he received from Peter Manfredo Jr. in November. It is clear that the son of a legend is improving, and the quick turnaround should ensure he is near top shape. I want to pull the trigger on calling an upset, but I think that right now Chavez Jr. is just good enough to edge Rubio in what could be a barn-burner at times.

Chavez Jr pts 12
Jason Pribilla
Bethlehem, PA
USA

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Julio, Jr. is in for what may be his toughest test as a professional. Marco Antonio Rubio is a rugged and durable fighter. He’s not the same boxer who crumbled against Kelly Pavlik in 2009, as he has won 10 straight fights - 9 of them by knockout. Chavez’s days of facing mostly padded fighters is over. He should to able to use his slight reach advantage to his benefit and he should do whatever is possible to use the entire ring. He’ll have to keep moving and moving, as Rubio will try to stalk him. Rubio will catch Chavez with some good shots, but he’ll absorb more punches himself. Close throughout the early rounds, but Chavez pulls away late by way of his attack to the body.

Chavez pts 12
Marc Livitz
Austin
Texas.
USA

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It’s easy to underestimate Rubio – ask David Lemieux. He has a lot of talent and he’s a worker but in the past he’s lost focus and consequently, fights. Chavez Jr. is a novice champion who Top Rank still guides with caution but his Mexican counterpart is likely to be a handful. I see Rubio matching Chavez throughout the course of a frenetic twelve rounder. Many will have Rubio ahead at the end but I see Chavez picking up a controversial points win.

Chavez Jr pts 12
Tom Gray
Motherwell
Scotland

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I respect Chavez Jr. for taking this fight. Marco Antonio Rubio is one tough customer and he will come prepared to win. Overall I see a competitive fight going Chavez’ way as the fight reaches the late stages. The fight should most likely go the distance, with Chavez pulling it off. It may even be a closer fight than the scorecards indicate."

Chavez Jr. W Pts 12
Derek Gionta
Pittsburgh,
PA
USA

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This is a terrific fight on so many levels, especially for those waiting for young Chavez to prove his worth against the upper tier of competition. Is Rubio an elite level fighter? No, not quite. But he’s tougher than leather and has a ton of experience in bigger fights. Chavez has obviously had a very carefully planned career thus far and oftentimes he’s been led down the easy path. Rubio poses a massive threat to Chavez and he can easily win the fight. I don’t see it happening, though; I see Chavez officially having his hand raised after a hotly-contested and extremely close fight. I honestly think most people will feel that Rubio will have done enough to nab the decision but the scores will fall in favor of Chavez. It’ll be a majority verdict for the legend’s son: one a draw (obviously), another score seeing it 115-113 and then a ridiculous lopsided 118-110 score. It happens all the time and it’ll happen on Saturday.

Chavez pts 12
Mike Sloan
Las Vegas
Nevada
USA

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This is a fight I am really excited about. I am glad for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. that it is happening and that he did not continue to avoid Marco Antonio Rubio
and hold out for a bigger payday. JCC Jr. needs to takes these types of fights to build him up for an eventual clash with Sergio Martinez or
Miguel Cotto down the road. Rubio proved he is still quite dangerous after taking David Lemieux into the deep waters and drowning him
to take his unbeaten record. Rubio won five times in 2011, so his activity will be a huge advantage in this match-up. He has made the 160
pound weight limit more comfortably, while JCC Jr. has been less active and really burdened his body to make weight only to swell up passed the
light heavyweight division by fight night. JCC Jr. will have to get in close to apply his impressive body assault to wear Rubio down for a late win. Although
powerful, Chavez does not crack as hard shot for shot as Rubio does. Rubio also fights very well off his back foot and will punish Chavez with right hands on
the retreat from his body work. If we are lucky, we will see an inside fight all night long. Rubio has come up short against his best opponents, but is Chavez in the league of, say, Kelly Pavlik? I expect a close, competitive fight. JCC Jr. is far better than he is given credit for and his chin has held up so far. Rubio is as well, but if I were Rubio, I would try to end this one inside of the distance because I am not sure he will get the nod on the cards with the WBC involved and higher profile fights on the line. Rubio wins the fight, but JCC Jr. get a split decision win.

Chavez Jr pts 12
Derek Bonnett
Connecticut,
USA

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It has been reported that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. may weigh as much as 194 lbs as of a few days ago. Will having to lose so much weight prove to be to much of a toll on the body? Is it time for Chavez to jump into the next weight class? If I were a bettin’ man, and I am, I would still have to go with Chavez. Not to take away from Marco Antonio Rubio, he is clearly not the same fighter after his loss to Kelly Pavlik. Rubio is a much improved fighter and for him to win he will have to do his damage in the early rounds and use his patience and knowledge if he is going to win. Rubio knows the odds are against him and claims "Jr. ain’t no Sr.". To tell the truth I want Rubio to win because he is a fighter who has re-invented himself after the Pavlik loss. If Chavez Jr. wins this fight he may finally get some respect but he will will have to use all his strength and skills to win this one.

Chavez Jr pts 12
Ron Valderrama
Phoenix
Arizona
USA

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Ever since I saw Rubio put up a non-fight against Pavlik I have had a bad taste in my mouth over him. He totally choked. I know he looked good against Lemieux and Vanda but I think he will find the going tough against the cocky young belt holder Chavez, and lose by decision.

Chavez w pts 12
Jerry Glick
New York City
USA

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Marco Antonio Rubio represents the toughest challenge yet to the unbeaten record of Chavez Jnr. The big punching Mexican has the top flight experience and current form to push Junior all the way in a bout that will tell us more about the long term credentials of the champion. The biggest hurdle facing the challenger may lie in the size difference between the two when the first bell rings as Rubio will be giving away a chunk of weight and natural size to a man who often exceeds 190lbs in the ring. The ancient looking 31-year-old will certainly make Chavez fight but will ultimately tire down the stretch with Junior racking up enough points along the way to hold onto his belt. It isn’t a confident pick by any stretch of the imagination though.

Chavez Jr pts 12
Danny Winterbottom
Manchester
England

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I believe this is going to become the toughest challenge Chavez Jr ever faced. Rubio was seeking this opportunity for such a long time. Chavez Jr’s style fits Marko Antonio’s counter-punching skill. This is how he dropped Baisangurov during their clash in Kyiv, Ukraine. He lost the fight eventually, but his progress lately was tremendous. Somehow, Rubio came in the ring with Kelly Pavlik like a lame duck, I don’t know what’s happened then, I can not attribute it solely to Pavlik’s punching power. Again, what realy inspires me watching Rubio, is that he’s never giving up opportunist, who will be looking for a chance to beat the opponent one way or another, and his experience certifies that he has quite a bunch tricks up on his sleeve! Rubio will win! upset Chavez Jr in 12 tough rounds! I believe, this is going to become a major lesson for Chavez Jr, for him to think again very well about his place in the boxing history.

Rubio pts 12
Dmytro Mossienko 
Kyiv, Ukraine

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The jury is still out on Chavez Jr. In his last outing against Peter Manfredo Jr he showed some much needed improvement in technique; countering and moving much more than earlier on in his career. However, his defence is by no means watertight. Rubio is coming off a streak of six stoppage victories, and has some real venom in his right hand that could cause Chavez some problems. This fight depends on the continued development of Chavez under Freddie Roach. If he counters, and moves away from Rubio’s right, he can stop ’El Veneno’ later on in the fight. If he is drawn into the trenches and fights Rubio’s fight I fancy an upset stoppage victory for Rubio.

Rubio tko 
Ben Solly
Leeds
England

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It’s nice being the son of a boxing legend. You get to headline big fight cards, make lots of money, and fight carefully chosen opponents. Chavez Jr. has improved over the years and developed a decent arsenal of punches, but he’s a limited talent. The comparisons to his dad should never be made. Chavez Sr. was a caged lion who stalked his opponents relentlessly and could take a solid punch. Junior has never been in a real shootout so we don’t know if he has the intestinal fortitude of a champion. What we do know is that he looks like a lion when his opponents are sheep. Marco Antonio Rubio is a mostly washed up former contender who might have been a tough opponent 5 years ago, but is now a stepping stone. Chavez should handle him pretty easily and hopefully, take on the true Middleweight champ, Sergio Martinez. That may be wishful thinking though.

Chavez w tko 10 
Rocco Nguyen 
Alexandria, VA 
USA

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Marco Antonio Rubio did two good things in 2011: he upset the up-and-coming David Lemieux and he stayed busy without taking any especially difficult fights. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was impressive against Peter Manfredo but he didn’t look worthy of all the hype in his two fights prior. Judging by those matches, Chavez doesn’t have the physicality to handle Rubio. The veteran should be able to take his punch and have plenty of opportunities to land with power shots of his own. Everything is in place for Jr., so Rubio better have enough to finish the job.

Rubio by TKO 11 
David Lopez 
Downey, USA

Chavez Jr = 11

Rubio = 3

February 4, 2012