Fonfara: Fans Can Expect Heavy Punches, Knockdowns, And A Great Fight

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andrzej-fonfara_1393988641Former titlist Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-1-1) is expected to win this Saturday against Andrzej Fonfara in their upcoming 172 lb. catch-weight fight for the WBC International light heavyweight title on Showtime Championship Boxing at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

Chavez Jr., 29, hasn’t been in the ring in over a year and hasn’t had a solid performance since he stopped current WBO middleweight titleholder Andy Lee in June 2012.

Fonfara is the type of fighter that performs well when his man comes right to him. When Chavez gets in trouble, he tends to stop moving – Fonfara plans to capitalize on it – and make him pay. In an interview with The Ring Magazine, Sam Colona, Fonfara’s trainer, confirmed this is the right kind of fight for Fonfara.

“Before we picked Chavez, they offered me other names, and I said no,” said Colona. “But as soon as they said Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., I said let’s do it. He has the perfect style for us. He comes straight to us. It’s going to be a great fight for Andrej to show the power and dedication he has.”

Chavez sees it the same way, except with himself reaping the benefits.

“I feel good, I feel fresh again. I stayed in the gym every day, training, working on my skill. I am really confident,” said Chavez Jr. “I know Fonfars is a tough fighter, but I felt good in training and I am ready.”

Fonfara is going to have to cut off the ring effectively in order to have a shot at beating Chavez. If he applies the same kind of pressure that got Adonis Stevenson to taste the canvas late in the ninth round of their fight, it could prove to be a crucial factor. Chavez likes to fight from the outside, but has looked slow in recent fights. In addition, when he’s on the run, he leaves himself open for a big right hand.

Either way you slice it, it’s going to be a tall task. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has received his fair share of gift decisions in the past and sometimes you’ll have to do more than just outclass a guy to beat a name like Chavez.

If Chavez looked slow at 168, I’m not so sure he’s going to be much quicker at 175. If he wants to win, he’s going to have to take his job seriously – there is no denying that he was not trying his best in prior fights – which was a big reason why Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach gave up on him. His new trainer Joe Goossen says the former WBC World Middleweight Champion has changed for the better.

“Julio is very serious about this fight. He is very dedicated to this fight, both mentally and physically,” Goossen said. “He showed me he is willing to work very hard for this fight, and it always works out well when a fighter cooperates in training, and he is doing that at 110 percent.”

Chavez’s own fan base even began to criticize him for recent performances, noting about his inability to pull the trigger. With all distractions aside, we’ll see what happens on Saturday, April 18.

As for a prediction, I think Fonfara should win a close fight, but you never know what can happen.