2012 Salinas, CA – Jonathan Chicas suffered an upset knockout loss to Moris Rodriguez on Spanish language television. The critics came out of the wood work to point fingers at Chicas who had been labeled a power puncher, but simply wasn’t producing the power. Even early last year, Chicas was struggling to find himself in the ring.
Late last summer, Chicas made a change, switching his strength and conditioning work with famed coach Mike Bazzel of Undisputed Boxing Gym, while keeping his technical instruction at 3rd St. Boxing Gym. Chicas’ first fight under the new plan was a dominant win on Fox Sports 1, but it didn’t show change. There is an old boxing adage that you see the difference in a new training camp after the second camp, and that appears to be true. Chicas seems to be a new fighter.
Chicas, who has always been a tough fight, but we wondered if he could step up. Now he is clearly ready for the next level, no ifs, ands, or buts. In his last two fights, or should I say five rounds, Chicas has put together two dominant KO wins. Chicas destroyed a tough and game Rodolfo Armenta in December with a three punch combo. It was this same combo that seemed to rattle Rogelio Castaneda Jr. That combo seemed to rattle Castaneda so much that he never recovered.
“My goal is a belt by the end of the year, not like one of the big ones, but like a regional belt. It would mean lot to me,” Chicas said in his dressing room after the fight. This goal seems very obtainable as Chicas is now riding two dominant wins and may not be far off from headlining a card. One thing that is showing is Chicas has been in with world class competition. Chicas has sparred Amir Khan and recently he gave good work to Shawn Porter.
Jonathan Chicas, the San Francisco, CA native and proud El Salvadorian, is looking to represent both regions. Chicas wishes to be a role model to young El Salvadorians and present a successful man who made something happen without losing focus of who he is.
Chicas has his goals now set and has also put out two dominant knockout wins. The next thing for Jonathan Chicas is the step up in competition, something Chicas seems to embrace.
