Chavez was never really a legitimate 147 pounder, but, I still lean towards Julio. The better chin generally beats the harder puncher. Especially when the one with the iron chin is significantly more skilled. It would be a fun fight to watch!
Honestly think Chavez gets absolutely obliterated here. Could see this being a Welterweight version of Foreman-Frazier. With his style, Chavez is just too small. Even against a converted Lightweight in Whitaker, Julio was still only 142 lb for their Welter clash, and only 144 lb against De la Hoya in 1998 in the twilight of his career. Factor in Chavez's reliance on getting close to an opponent, the fact that he was always hittable and that he was also brave and isn't going to shy away....No, no, no. This is going to get ugly for him. Cuevas didn't have great speed or technique, but he won't need it here. He'd just bully Chavez physically, club him all over the place and tear his body up with those hooks downstairs (in that regard, what Chavez did to so many others would now be done to him). I don't think Chavez could contain him at all. Cuevas by knockout before the midway point, with Chavez badly hurt / dropped a couple of times beforehand.
Chavez never proved iron chin AT WELTER. Lamotta had iron chin(better than chavez) but i am sure that at lhw he could be knocked out
Cuevas stops him. Chavez wasn't even much of junior welterweight, let alone a welterweight. He was successful at 140 because he was so good, but his optimal weight classes were 130-135. Cuevas was far too big and powerful.
If this is both at best id go with cuevas close decision. We are talking Chavez at his best so he could easy train and be at 141 at his best and still be strong and brilliant. No man stopping Chavez at his best. I'd have to slightly favour cuevas cause he was good and had the size do get the better of maybe 7 of the rounds
Pipino Cuevas did like to bombs away in his bouts, he had a very pulverizing right hand, it even broke Billy Backus orbital in their 1978 fight, forcing the fight to be stopped early. Julio Caesar Chavez fought at his absolute best at 130 lbs and at 135 lbs, he wore down hard punching Edwin Rosario in 1987 to win the WBA Lightweight Title with a 11th round TKO. Cuevas in this match again would come out bombing to test the chin of Chavez. The first right hand from Pipino sends Julio to the canvas as Frankie Randall would do later. Chavez takes the mandatory eight count, then retreats and clinches for the remainder of the round. Julio regains his composure, connecting to the body of Cuevas with his patented left hook. Both fighters suddenly engage in a firefight, when Pipino crashes home a very decapitating right hand that sends Chavez down and out in round 2. Pipino Cuevas is just too strong at welterweight, Chavez though very talented is no Thomas The Hitman Hearns tonight.
