Recently rewatched their fights .. Chavez, as an 34 and then a 36 year old man far from his best held up very well to Oscar's power .. the second fight was very competitive for a while as well .. I believe that the best version of Chavez even at 147 beats Oscar .. thoughts ?
I would take Prime Chavez over Prime Oscar at any other weight. But, 147 was a bridge too far for El Gran Campeon. Chavez was already past prime before ever fighting at 147.
No , he wasn't a better welterweight than Oscar, though overall he was a better fighter. And I must watch that fight again because the way I remember it, it wasn't close at all. And Chavez seemed close to quitting .
I always thought JCC was very unlucky in the first match. That cut he had from sparring re opened early and he was just getting the range when the fight was stopped. I think JCC would have beat Oscar by taking the fight into the later rounds, waiting for Oscar to gas ( notorious for it late in fights) and then drowning him. JCC had that exact plan as well. It is unfortunate he could not continue and had to settle for the 2nd fight which was good but JCC had been sliding for years and was just to old and worn to win at that point. Good showing , but to little to late. JCC in his prime would destroy Oscar. If the older version was competitive, the younger version would dominate.
I suspect Chavez would have just too much but anything below 147 it's Chavez all the way. He wouldn't be able to hurt JC & he wouldn't be able to take them body shots all night long.
Most everyone here calls this correctly as best as we know it, Chavez was not a WW, 1 division sometimes does not seem like that much, but it can be and is many times, as remember Chavez came all the way up from JLW which may have been his best, then I would say JWW his 2nd best then back to LW at 3rd, I wish he had done more at LW, but he has too much going against him at WW where DLH would have been very comfortable at and wins via UD.
