Would moving up to SMW help or hurt Chavez Jr?

[vast]

I don' think he would beat Pavilk. Chavez is easy to hit and was on the rocks vs martinez several times, even with a broken hand. So, his success at SMW will not come against top tier fighters such as ward, kessler and froch and pavlik (actually if pavlik has anything left that is).

[Farmboxer]

Chavez even admitted that he depended on his huge size advantage! Why won't he take a urine test?!

[Ianian58]

Ah Chavez Jr...a good fighter, but my God was he fighting stupidly in the Martinez fight. What needed is to fix is his arrogance and lazyness; I remembered when Roach told him to do this and that, and his father gave him some advice and he just seemed to ignore them like he had some plan in his head.

But, he did make it to 12th Round and does have some power when he decides- well you know throw a punch for once.

[motownsiu]

can't see him beating ward even if he ward was not allowed to hit back. can't see him beating froch, bute, or even kessler. healthwise it's better for him but i don't think he will be competitive with any of the top 168 fighters.

[Kid_Boxing]

Originally Posted by WatchfortheHook

Also, considering that some of the best competition that Chavez Jr. has faced at MW was Andy Lee, Sebastian Zbik, Peter Manfredo Jr., Marco Antonio Rubio, and of course Sergio Martinez... and considering SMW has more proven depth right now than MW, how does Chavez Jr. fare against the following opponents:

Andre Ward
Carl Froch
Mikkel Kessler
Lucian Bute
Robert Stieglitz
Kelly Pavlik
Arthur Abraham
Sakio Bika

Originally Posted by locard

Beats everyone except the first three guys

[chitownfightfan]

Originally Posted by WatchfortheHook

For those that are very confident in Chavez Jr. at 168...why are you confident? I don't mean that condescendingly.\, I just want to understand the overall logic.

The problem I have with placing Chavez Jr at 168 is that he didn't exactly rack up a great "average" on his resume at MW. During his tour de force his best opponents were: Sebastian Zbik,Marco Antonio Rubio, Peter Manfredo Jr., Andy Lee, and then Sergio Martinez.

So he basically beat up on gatekeepers(and he didn't totally beat up on all of them, hard fought decision against Zbik) and was totally outclassed by the elite of the division.

However, what bothers me most about his chances at 168, is that I always was under the impression that he relied on his size too much at MW and that his style might not translate up to 168. Mainly I'm thinking about fights he tried to just walk through the front door of his opponent without at least showing a jab (Rubio, a lot against Lee which awkward at times, Martinez, etc). Most good pressure fighters don't just walk in, they'll stick out the jab. I think that style will cause him problems against even the lower side of the SMW top 10 (in particular against Pavlik).

But I'm hardly a boxing expert, so I want your insight on why you have confidence that he'll do well at 168.

He's cutting too much weight at MW. His power would be better at SMW, as would his punch resistance and speed.
He wins his fights by attacking the body. In his lone loss, he abandoned his body attack and went head hunting when Sergio pulled ahead on the cards.

Styles make fights, and Sergio is a styles nightmare for a come forward fighter like JR. I picked JR to KO him, but I underestimated Sergios resolve to maintain the workrate like he did.

At SMW, Chavez JR would hold his own with ALL the top 10 guys. I think only Froch, and "MAYBE" Bute would beat him convincingly. JR hasnt fought anyone with Froch's power or Bute body attack.

JR would literally murder Ward. Ward fights an excellent inside game by slipping power shots to the head. JR beats guys to the body. JR is all wrong for Ward, and SOB better stay far far away from him.

[SJS19]

Hurt.

Chavez thinks his chin is uncrackable. Try it with Carl Froch, Julio. Please.

[Badlok]

Originally Posted by locard

Beats everyone except the first three guys

[Badlok]

Originally Posted by motownsiu

can't see him beating ward even if he ward was not allowed to hit back. can't see him beating froch, bute, or even kessler. healthwise it's better for him but i don't think he will be competitive with any of the top 168 fighters.

There's no way he can beat Bika exept by DQ or buying the judges

[Henke67]

He'll be a lot healthier but without his size advantage, the top guys at 168 would eat him alive.

[persianprince]

Originally Posted by locard

Beats everyone except the first three guys

I honestly believe that if Bute doesn't kills him self making 168, he beat Chavez Jr. He could punish him for his poor defense

[SJS19]

Originally Posted by persianprince

I honestly believe that if Bute doesn't kills him self making 168, he beat Chavez Jr. He could punish him for his poor defense

The Bute who fought Garachev would be put to sleep.

[persianprince]

Originally Posted by SJS19

The Bute who fought Garachev would be put to sleep.

Maybe, but that's because Froch destroyed him, Bute before Froch i'd favour him to beat Chavez Jr.

Probably the must important thing you guys gotta remember, he won't have size, reach & like with Abraham, his power will fade away against guys who can take a punch. So basicaly in my head it's impossible to see Chavez Jr. in top 5-7 at this current SMW division i even think that DeGale could toy wit him