Boxing

Julio Cesar Chavez v Edwin Rosario 1987

By ybsteam on | From ybsboxingtalk.blogspot.com

The year was 1987, Ronald Reagan was the U.S President, Margret Thatcher was the British P.M, top cinema releases were titles such as Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, The Untouchables and Full Metal Jacket,
The New York Giants win Super Bowel XXI, beating the Denver Broncos 39-20, and Mike Tyson squeezes in four fight defeating Bonecrusher Smith, Pinklon Thomas, Tony Tucker and Tyrell Biggs.
As Christmas fast approached A 25yr old Mexican that was already the possessor of one world title was looking to become a two time champion and a Puerto Rican who at 24yrs old was a two time Lightweight titlist were getting ready to wage war.

I have to be truthful i can't remember the first time i watched a Chavez Sr fight, and when these two met i knew more about Rosario than i did about J.C Superstar.

Edwin Rosario was a fearsome puncher, stopping 21 of his first 24 opponents, he won his first world title age just 20yrs old, possabley unlucky to lose a split decision (1986) to Hector Camacho but a left hook in the 5th rd would change the Macho Man forever, he would remain fleet footed with super fast hands but the willingness to stand his ground and engage (all be it briefly) would be lost forever.

Rosario won his second world title with an upset win over tough Livingstone Bramble, knocking all the resistance out of the Pit Bull inside two rds.
After making a successful first defence with a TKO in eight rds over Juan Nazario, the stage was set for Chavez.

Julio Cesar Chavez turned pro at the tender age of just 17yrs old, and won his first world title three years later, going on to defend the WBC Super Featherweight belt nine times before stepping up to challenge Rosario.

The fight took place on the 21st November 1987 at the Hilton LasVagas with Richard Steele as the third man in the ring, Chavez brought a record of 54-0-0 (45ko's) while Rosario came in 26-2-0 (22ko's),

There was a certain amount of needle leading up to the fight, Chavez taking particular offence at some of Rosario's pre fight comments, it was Chavez that had to be encouraged to touch gloves as the two waited to commence battle, and through the duration of the contest their were frequent eye balling and words exchanged after the bell.

The first rd was to set the tone of the fight, after two minutes scouting the challenger pushed the champion to the ropes letting lose a few exploratory lefts hooks to head and body, one of the things that was noticeable early on was that Rosario, when he did get the chance to move freely was only flicking out the jab and not following it with any thing that would serve as a deterrent, Chavez was finding it very easy to get inside and fight the way he wanted.

Chavez was never a knockout puncher that accolade belonged to Rosario, in fact many people felt Chavez would not be able to handle the champions power, Chavez was one inch taller and despite weighing slightly less than the champion looked all round the bigger man.
The challengers style could be described as that of a virus, it creeps up on you, things may seem fine at first, then you start to feel a little ill, and before you know it the end of you is insight, Chavez was a virus that for many,many years had no cure.
By the fifth rd the first signs of battle were showing on the champions face, a swelling under the left eye, Chavez was really warming to his task by now whipping in hooks from either side, up and down, as the 8th rd progressed it was clear to see that the challengers non stop pressure and body assault was having the desired effect, Rosario was looking tired and a little tentative, a left hook, straight right had the champion reeling, his mouth cut he shipped more punishment but defiantly punched back, as he slumped in his corner it was already hard to envision a way back for this proud warrior,
Rosario was able to box and move for most of the ninth, but by now you were left feeling he was on borrowed time, every punch looked to be hurting, if Rosario had managed to take most of the sting out of the ninth the tenth from Chavez's point of view, was going to make up for it, punishing spiteful blows bounced off the champions ribs and head, his face was a mess and more than once it looked like he would wilt, the best fighter was long since established but Rosario still refused to concede firing back as best as his wounded body would allow,
The corner shouted "he's ok, he's ok" as the doctor inspected the damaged fighter before the start of the 10th, and there wouldn't have been many complaints if proceedings had been brought to a close, their was nothing left for either to prove, but the warrior code is a brutal one, and demands that its participants exit on their shield, Rosairo would have it no other way.
Rosario rose to face his tormentor and was set upon straight away, the challenger could sense the end, more withering body shots, uppercuts and hooks, again Rosario would wilt his body wanting to fall but something from deep within wouldn't allow it, he could no longer see any thing coming from the left hand side, as Chavez looked to set up another attack the corner had seen enough and the towel came in, so came to an end an incredible fight one that would leave me a life long Julio Cesar Chavez fan.

The old saying goes it takes two to tango and it has to be remembered the huge part Rosario played on the night, he landed more than his share of punches but simply couldn't put the slightest dent in the challengers armour, he displayed courage and heart , above and beyond the call of duty, for anyone that has ever felt a body shot we can only wonder how he stood up to Chavez's rib breaking punches for eleven rds.

Edwin Rosario would go on to be come a three time Lightweight champion before moving up and winning a. fourth title at Light-Welterweight, he died in 1997 aged just 34, he will be forever remembered in the proud tradition of Puerto Rican Champions.

Julio Cesar Chavez would go on to have many more great victory, he would finish his career as a six time champion spanning three weight classes and be considered by many as Mexico's greatest ever fighter.
Chavez was so much more than just a pressure fighter, an underrated defence ment he took far less punches than many stand up boxers, a superb body puncher with a great chin and engine.
He retired in 2005 with a 107-6-2 (86ko) record, as i said Chavez had many great nights but in 1987 against El Chapo he was damn near prefect.