By Norm Frauenheim–
Boxing was never meant to be the family business. Fathers fight so their sons don’t have to. That sounds like a sensible plan, or at least a good way to avoid scars, concussions and everything else that comes from a livelihood in the ring.
But it’s never been one that could be applied to Julio Cesar Chavez and the son known simply as Junior.
It seems as if Junior just can’t escape his given name or the legend it means to Mexico. There have been times when it looked as if he might just walk away from his role as the heir-apparent.
But he hasn’t, not even amid boos for his two performances against Bryan Vera, or his country-club training camp for Sergio Martinez, or his late-night meals, or fondness for the substance that leads to the munchies.
Through it all, he always seems to follow that path up the steps, through the ropes and onto the unforgiving canvas that defined his dad. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will be back there again on April 18 at the StubHub Center in Carson Calif., at a 172-pound catch-weight against a top 10 light-heavyweight, Andzrej Fonfara.
“It feels great to get back,’’ Junior said during a conference call Wednesday.
Great, yet never more problematic than now.
There’s the dangerous Fonfara, who has enough skill and power to make him regret his return. It’s his first fight in 13 months. Since losing a piece of the middleweight title to Martrinez in a bout one-sided for 11 rounds and wild in the 12th, Junior has fought only twice, both against Vera, in 2013 and 2014. He has changed management, signing with advisor Al Haymon. Promoter Bob Arum is suing, alleging that he still owes him fight.
He’s also got a new trainer in Joe Goossen and will make his debut on Showtime after years on HBO. Changes abound. Question is: Has he?
His comeback against Fonfara is intriguing because it’s a chance to see if boxing’s Peter Pan has finally grown up. Throughout his career, enablers have surrounded him. Then, there were the fans, always there with an excuse for every misstep.
If he couldn’t make weight, a new one was negotiated. If he decided he wanted to train at his Las Vegas condo at 2 a.m. and do his road work around the couch instead of on the street, his former trainer, Freddie Roach, would be there.
But Arum and Roach are gone. So, too, are many of the Mexican fans. They have either given up on him in exasperation or moved on and into the Canelo Alvarez’ camp.
Against Fonfara, there will be none of the usual excuses or loopholes that have always been there like a silver spoon. Junior will have to behave and perhaps fight like Senior more then he ever has.
As always, dad will be there. He was even on the conference call.
“I did not want this fight for my son,’’ Julio Cesar Chavez said. “Fonfara is very strong. But Julio wants to show how good he is.”
How mature he is too.
