Chávez continued to defend his WBC super lightweight title against unheralded opposition until he faced Oscar De La Hoya in 1996. A large gash appeared over the right eye of Chávez within the first minute of the first round, leading many to assume what Chávez later confirmed, that the cut occurred earlier in training and was reopened in the bout. Heavy blood flow prompted the referee to stop the fight in the fourth round. Post your Opinion on the fight.
Sure. By the time this fight happened, JC Superstar was already too old for the game. He had been basically exposed by Pernell Whitaker, and then destroyed by Frankie Randall. Bad. So bad that when the rematch happened, it was only a technicality due to a headbutt that allowed Chavez to regain the WBC belt. Team DLH knew this better than anyone and took the fight for the High $$$ it would bring, and because Oscar had height, reach and age on his side. It turned out to be a big **** up on Oscar's part. (He should have chosen Tszyu and the IBF instead) He had the WBC title, and lots of dollars, and the unbridled HATRED of the Mexican People. That was damage that he couldnt undo, so instead he rematched him in 1998, and beat a by then ancient Chavez in 8 or 9 rounds. Now he was despised by all of Mexico. It was the reason he got pelted in LA once with garbage when he was the Grand Marshall of a parade.
Chavez later claimed he had the cut early on from butting heads with his infant son. I'm sure it was a pre-existing cut, but I think DLH would've won anyway. Chavez was past his prime, but still a solid win for DLH.
The cut was a blessing in disguise. It saved Chavez from a horrific ass whooping as he was already rapidly declining. The end.
The second fight was better imo than the first. I think Chavez was still pretty damn good at this time but he came straight in to a powerful young puncher who fought well at a distance. Cut or no cut the fight wouldn't have gone on that long. The second Chavez fight Chaves was able to use his experience to get Oscar into a Chavez style fight but Oscar was still too big and hit too hard and so there you go.
"Negative, Ghostrider, the pattern is full" This victory for Oscar was about as solid as Homles' victory over Ali, or Maricano's over Louis, or Joppy's over Duran.
