I've been reading a lot of my old boxing magazines and this fight came up in the comments section of one of them. I thought it was an interesting matchup that I had never really considered. Who do you like in this fight at lightweight? I like Chavez by a split decision in a close, hotly contested matchup.
Chavez by wide margin or more likely stoppage. He was a better all around fighter than Azumah, and he's also the bigger guy.
I don't know if Chavez was a better boxer than Nelson, but I can understand your take on it because Julio was an absolute monster in the ring. Would be a real war I bet!
Thanks. Yes, I can't see Azumah moving up to lightweight and overpowering, or outboxing Chavez. I used to think about this matchup back in the day, but now, there is no way I could see Azumah winning. Chavez was step above most back then and as you said, he could be a monster in the ring.
107-6-2 with 86 knockouts! Now that is one hell of a record, Julio Cesar Chavez was just so great, what a fighter!
An awesome fight that would have made for a great rivalry. I can see Nelson handing Chavez a loss but in a trilogy Chavez would win 2-1, although they would all be close and competitive.
I agree at 130 pounds Chavez wasn´t the full deal yet, struggled with Laporte (some Boxing mags had Laporte winning) and didn´t look great against Rocky Lockridge or Dwight Pratchett. I think Azumah would give that Chavez a run for his money though Nelson could be outworked. At lightweight Chavez would batter him, Azumah was tough so he´ll probably last the distance but would be hanging on over the last 2 rounds.
Chavez was a better boxer than almost everyone. Not every great boxer fights from a Philly Shell behind a jab.
Julio was much too big and strong. I think he'd stop Nelson at 130. Like he'd beat him into submission.