Even fresh off clear losses over the weekend, these are both IMO still top dozen or so h2h welterweights. Each lacks a signature win at world level, yet have done well in their steps up. (Bundu very game on a RBR basis against Thurman, and though scorecards were deservedly wide under the actual 10-point must system a lot of those "9-pointers" were hard-earned; Chaves ran Thurman extremely close in the first through eighth until the knockdowns began to pile up and signal the end...and then got unfairly disqualified in a match with Brandon Rios in which Rios was every bit as dirty and in fact causing all of Chaves' fouls with his stance, and in which Chaves was getting the best of the action, up on two official cards...and now drawing with Bradley and making him look ordinary, although it probably should have gone down as having been a competitive decision loss...) They have a common opponent besides Thurman in French-Moroccan former interim WBA titlist Ismael El Massoudi. Bundu and Chaves kayoed him in the 1st & 2nd, respectively. This stands as Chaves' best actual W on paper, and Bundu's 4th or 5th, with his best to date being Frankie Gavin. That said, Chaves has stepped up to elite competition thrice now compared with just once for Bundu - and on all three occasions Chaves did clearly win a few rounds (which Bundu can't be said to have done with Thurman). Both are very solid technicians, both have very nice jabs, and both have excellent chins (despite being dropped by Thurman). Chaves has a twelve year advantage in youth, can switch-hit, is one inch taller and more powerful with a much higher work rate to boot. Bundu has two inches' reach, vastly more experience (with the exception of the last year or so, all of higher quality, with a long European title reign trumping all of Chaves' domestic trials in Argentina), sneaky pop of his own, greater hand speed and higher accuracy. Neither can afford to lose right now, but if they met the winner could vault right back into the contention mix (and finally have that long-sought world-level victory).
Forget about the stupid reputation Chaves picked up against Rios (and, which, unfortunately, the headbutts with Bradley didn't exactly help eliminate) - this would aesthetically be a very pretty fight. I think facets of each man's style would bring out the best in the other to meet the challenge. Bundu would need to counter very actively to keep Chaves' respect, and Chaves would need to button down his defense on the attack.
Bundu close but wins on points, I love Argentines but Diego has never impressed me that much. He had a few good rounds against Thurman because Keith isn't that great, he looked bad against Rios and was terrified of his power, and lost clearly to Bradley. Bundu isn't much better, but the Gavin win is better than anything Chaves has accomplished.
Why Yes, in fact, the only friends I have are Argies, you're pretty smart, how did you figure that out.... wait.....you're spying on me aren't you:admin
