Watched Delahoya vs Chavez 1 last night

There was an element of good timing on ODLH's part. He met Chavez at the right time, but you can't take anything away from him, he got the job done and looked dominant. Prime vs prime, who knows, but a good, close fight in my opinion.

 

He was the real deal for sure, IMO.

Unfortunately popularity and likeability do really come into it for loads of people. It's human nature i suppose.

 

He was a beast at those lighter weights. He'd be hell to beat even at 135. Heck, he left there at the 20 fight mark and actually already had some fine performances behind him, as a professional fledgling.

 

Add your own perspective anytime you like Greg, as long as you are agreeing with me

Kidding aside you've expanded on exactly why the guy is such a top fighter and worthy of rating accordingly.

 

Ironically Chavez looked so much better and so competitive in the rematch that had he showed up at 100% in the first fight(or perhaps just 1-2 years earlier) it could have really been a close fight.

You would think stylistically oscar should be a nightmare for chavez but somehow the rematch makes me think prime Chavez could possibly take him

 

Chavez's infant son allegedly reopened the cut, let alone De La Hotti. The fans were ripped off big time.

 

Yeah, maybe he got a bit overshadowed by Floyd and Pac, but he was a hell of a fighter in his day and willing to fight anyone. Some balls to go up and face Hopkins, catch weight non-withstanding.

 

I remember staying up to watch this one back in ‘96 - a real let down. De La Hoya would have won comfortably without the horrific cut anyway as Chavez was shot by then but still…

 

I don’t see how a guy with a 96-1-1 record is shot.

Maybe past prime, but he wasn’t stumbling around the ring.

 

‘Shot’ was probably an overstatement. Definitely past prime - he was extremely fortunate to come out with a win over Randall and had clearly declined in terms of his performances.

 

Chavez was way past his best.

He somehow made it to this superfight after losing to Randall and then being handed the title back in the controversial second fight. This was two years after the second Randall fight and Chavez was very well matched to stay unbeaten until the De La Hoya fight. Arum may have promoted this fight but King did all he could to get Chavez there.

 

We’re in agreement here.