Think Whitaker always gives Chavez trouble. Would be a hell of a lot closer against the younger, fresher Chavez course. With Taylor, yep, he could possibly do it this time. It was only a year after this version that they actually met, so why not?
Another guy not mentioned yet is Vince Philips. I think he is a very live underdog and could very well win lots of rounds in a decision bout.
Don't believe Benitez fought at 135=Lightweight. If he did it was VERY early in his career, well before he matured in too the fighter he would become. Chavez punishes and probably ruins Benitez at that stage of his career.
Besides Cervantes and Napoles, I believe Eddie Perkins would be a stylistic nightmare for Chavez. Eddie was a slick boxer with a sharp (not heavy) punch, stamina to burn and a rock jaw (only stopped once in app. 100 fights and that was from a butt-induced cut) and really knew how to use that ring to his advantage. His ring IQ and conditioning kept him as a top contender into his late 30s. To me, this has all the earmarks of a fight going 15 rounds with the speedy boxer prevailing.
He is a great shout, tells me ( as if I didn't already know ) you have a profound knowledge of our sport, much undervalued fighter, goes without saying was prob avoided by some of the champs, a very grounded, sound, technician, I concur that he would give JCC a lot to think about. stay safe buddy.
First of all, Vince Phillips never fought at Lightweight. But, if he did, Chavez would beat Phillips handily. Chavez is far more skilled defensively, and, has a much more varied offense attack than Phillips. Phillips beating Kostya Tszyu had a lot more to do with chinks in Tszyu's armor, than it did with Phillips talent. When Phillips stepped up against Quartey, he was absolutely demolished. And that was only a year before he outlasted Tszyu. (Who probably expected a short night). Don't get me wrong, I like Vince Phillips, he was a good fighter. But he was more of a belt holder than a true champion. Not really sure that he is as good as guys like Roger Mayweather, or dozens of other beltholders that Chavez bested in the ring.. Certainly not a logical threat to one of the greatest fighters of all time.
My fault, Fergy. I misread it on my phone. That being said, I still don't think the best version of Vince Phillips at JWW fares well against the best version of JCC at that weight. I do agree that Vince might have a chance against the much slowed version of Julio that lost to Randall.