Julio César Chávez | |
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Chávez in 1995
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Statistics | |
Real name | Julio César Chávez González |
Nickname(s) |
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Weight(s) | |
Height | 5 ft 7 1⁄2 in (171 cm) |
Reach | 66 1⁄2 in (169 cm) |
Nationality | Mexican |
Born |
Obregón, Sonora, Mexico |
July 12, 1962
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 115 |
Wins | 107 |
Wins by KO | 86 |
Losses | 6 |
Draws | 2 |
Julio César Chávez González (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxuljo ˈsesaɾ ˈtʃaβes ɣonˈsales]; born July 12, 1962), also known as Julio César Chávez Sr., is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2005. He is considered by acclamation as the greatest Mexican boxer of all time, and one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Chávez is a six-time world champion in three weight divisions, and for several years was considered the best boxer in the world, pound for pound. During his career he held the WBC super featherweight title from 1984 to 1987; the WBA lightweight title from 1987 to 1989; the WBC lightweight title from 1988 to 1989; the WBC light welterweight title twice, from 1989 to 1996; and the IBF light welterweight title from 1990 to 1991. Additionally, he held The Ring magazine lightweight title from 1988 to 1989, and the lineal light welterweight title twice, from 1990 to 1996. Chávez was named Fighter of the Year for 1987 and 1990 by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine respectively.
Together with Omar Narváez, Chávez holds the record for the most total successful defenses of world titles (27), most title fight victories (31), most title fights (37), and the second most title defenses won by knockout (21, after Joe Louis with 23). Chávez also has the longest undefeated streak in boxing history, at 13 years. His fight record was 89 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw before his first professional loss to Frankie Randall in 1994, before which he had an 87-fight win streak until his draw with Pernell Whitaker in 1993. Chávez also set the record for the largest attendance for a boxing match—132,274—at the Estadio Azteca for his fight against Greg Haugen in 1993.