Life as a son of a sporting legend can never be easy, but when you attempt to walk in the same field as your father, a national icon, a sporting legend and often considered as one of the greatest ever boxers to lace up the gloves it become even more difficult. For one young Mexican it may not help that he took his fathers iconic name as well as his fathers sport, for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr it may just be that he's just unlucky to be in his position of following in the footsteps of boxing god, though only time will tell in regards to his success.
Born in Culiacán in 1986 to Julio Cesar Chavez Snr and his then wife Amalia Carrasco he would have his face exposed to boxing fans as a youngster, often going to ringside with his legendary father though as his father fought less, winding down one of the greatest careers of modern times. Unlike many sons of famous boxers Chavez didn't have a long amateur career full of awards, in fact his amateur career seems to be one of the shortest with him making a professional debut when he was just 17 years old having signed with Top Rank, one of the biggest promotional companies in the USA. His debut in 2003 saw him winning by a decision over 4 rounds, although he looked raw more people were taking note of the name than the actual fighter, the young, tall 17 year old has seen seem himself fighting regularly, learning on the job so to speak.
Over the following few years he would face a series of no hopers, crowds often coming to see whether or not the youngster with the famous name was anything like the fighter his dad had once been. The older Chavez was a fighting machine, a powerful and vicious body puncher who had run up a 90 fight unbeaten streak to start his career and had gone on to destroy the American fighter Meldrick Taylor with only seconds left of their first fight. It was obvious very quickly that the handsome, taller younger man wasn't much like his father, although he was running up a long unbeaten streak he was facing patsies lined up for him to look good against. Though things weren't plain sailing for the man referred to as JCC Jr, he would only manage a draw with 9 fight novice Carlos Molina in what was Chavez's 24th paid bout, although this was the first blot on his record it's one that stands out like a sore thumb. Over his next few bouts he would pick up various belts, though they meant little and seemed somewhat like a way for the WBC to attach their name to Chavez Jr as he faced relatively unknown fighters fight after fight, until he met Matt Vanda.
Vanda has for years been seen as a journeyman, a win some lose some type of fighter, it was to be the biggest test in junior's career and one he was controversially given a pass. The controversy behind the fight saw the two fight a rematch, again Chavez would get the controversial victory as his record improved to 38 wins 0 losses and 1 draw.
Since then he has managed to string together some fairly impressive wins though has also seen his career hit controversy once again as he tested positive for a banned diuretic and suffered a suspension. On his return from suspension he was scheduled to face John Duddy in what many viewed as a major fight for both men, the fight was in many quarters being seen as a huge step up in class for Chavez, though to the surprise of many he controlled and out boxed the Irishman. Duddy was shaken up by the taller, faster, more accurate and powerful youngster who seems like he's finally becoming a man. Whether he can step out of his fathers footsteps is another question, but this is a good step in the right direction.