Gold on the mind
Chavez confident he can beat De La Hoya in rematch
Posted: Sunday August 23, 1998 05:25 PM
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Bloodshot: Chavez (right) lost to De La Hoya in the first meeting in 1996 after a doctor stopped the fight because Chavez was bleeding profusely Stephen Dunn/Allsport |
BRECKENRIDGE, Colorado (AP) -- Julio Cesar Chavez has no doubt he can beat WBC welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya in a rematch scheduled for September 18 in Las Vegas.
Hanging in his gym in this mountain town is a sign, which translated from Spanish to English, says: "Yes you can, we're going to be able to do it, we're going to win!"
With each punch combination he throws, the 35-year-old Chavez is thinking about De La Hoya. As his trainers wipe sweat off his muscular shoulders, the Mexican is thinking about De La Hoya.
At any training session, onlookers can see the intensity in Chavez's dark eyes and furrowed brow. He is thinking about De La Hoya.
In 1996, the six-time world boxing champion, who boasts a 99-2-2 record, lost to De La Hoya (28-0) on a technical knockout after a doctor stopped the fight because Chavez was bleeding profusely.
"This time, there is no excuse," Chavez said.
Chavez and his trainers said they chose Breckenridge for its altitude of 9,600 feet (2,900 meters) and its tranquility.
The boxer admits the altitude affects him, particularly when he is lifting weights, but hopes it will give him an edge.
"I will have an advantage from the altitude, but De la Hoya will be in his own weight class," Chavez said.
Normally, Chavez fights as a junior welterweight, which has a weight limit of 140 pounds (63.50 kilos), and De La Hoya fights as a welterweight with a limit of 147 pounds (66.7 kilos). Chavez will have to bulk up to fight De La Hoya.
In the current boxing standings released by the magazine 'The Ring,' Chavez is ranked third in his weight class.
Despite the rankings, Chavez insists the bout will be "the surprise of the year."
"It's been a long time since I've worked this hard," Chavez said. "The pressure is on De La Hoya."
Chavez wants to make the De La Hoya fight a memorable one, because it's going to be one of his last. He says he will retire by the end of the year.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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