Mexican icon Julio Cesar Chavez faced a number of world class opponents at the height of his stellar professional career.
Known as ‘El Gran Campeon Mexicano’, Chavez entered the paid ranks back in 1980 and would go on to make no less than 115 ring appearances up until his retirement from the sport in 2005.
The Mexican great captured world titles across several weight classes along the way and enjoyed a spell as the world’s best fighter pound-for-pound according to The Ring Magazine during the early 1990s.
He remained unbeaten in his first 90 professional bouts, defeating the likes of Greg Haugen, Meldrick Taylor and Hector Camacho before he suffered the first loss of his career to Frankie Randall in January 1994.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine, Chavez reflected on his 1993 clash with American star Pernell Whitaker as he claims ‘Sweet Pea’ was the smartest fighter he ever crossed paths with.
“He was very intelligent. And then there was Oscar De La Hoya, who knew how to use his advantage in height and his distance. I think he was very intelligent in the ring.”
Chavez and Whitaker fought to a 12-round majority decision draw back in September of 1993 when they collided at at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, although many believe ‘Sweet Pea’ should have had his hand raised in one of the most controversial decisions in boxing history.
Whitaker would go on to make a further seven defences of his WBC welterweight crown before he was eventually dethroned by Oscar De La Hoya in April 1997.
