Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. impressive in stopping Peter Manfredo Jr. in five
 By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing (Nov 20, 2011) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © Chris Farina / Top Rank)
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By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing: Julio
Cesar Chavez made the first defense of his WBC championship a success
by stopping Peter Manfredo Jr. in the fifth round before a raucous crowd
at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas.
Chavez
entered the fight a prohibitive favorite but still with some questions.
Manfredo had promised to “leave it all in the ring” and retire if he
came up short.
Chavez
(44-0-31 KOs) and Manfredo (37-7-20 KOs) used the first round to feel
each other out. Chavez jabbed and circled while Manfredo followed
occasionally throwing a punch.
In
round two, Chavez landed a nice combination to Manfredo’s head. He
moved his attack to the body and tagged Manfredo with a good left.
Chavez was faster and more fluid while Manfredo stalked but couldn’t
land anything that would slow Chavez down. He looked tentative and
unsure what to do.
The
much bigger Chavez continued to show his improved boxing skills in
round three by stinging Manfredo with some well placed jabs. Manfredo
was getting closed and did trade rights with Chavez near the end of the
round. Chavez landed a combination along the ropes that stung Manfredo
but didn’t hurt him.
Manfredo
started faster in round four by surprising Chavez with a lead right
followed by a left. His jab found Chavez’s nose as the WBC champion
slowed his attack down. Manfredo drove Chavez back with a nice
combination to the body. Manfredo landed another long right to win the
round.
In
round five, Manfredo continued attacking Chavez with his lead right.
Chavez was sitting down on his punches but just missing. His jab
continued to find Manfredo’s face. The bout had turned from a boxing
match to a fight. Manfredo stalked while Chavez was loading up his
right. Chavez countered Manfredo’s lazy jab with a hard right hand over
the top that sent Manfredo staggering to the ropes. Chavez was on him
immediately throwing combinations as referee Lawrence Cole watched
closely. Manfredo was blocking some punches but eating others. After
another right moved Manfredo’s head referee Cole decided that the
Providence native had had enough, stopping the fight at the 1:52 mark of
round number five.
Chavez was pleased with his victory.
“We worked on defense, defense, defense in the gym, “said Chavez. “I want to fight the best. Sergio Martinez is a great champ.”
Manfredo felt the stoppage was premature but did admit that Chavez's right hurt him.
“It was quick, but that’s boxing,” replied Manfredo who reiterated that his boxing career had come to an end.
‘I’m done,” he said.
Chavez’s
performance was an impressive one. His defense has improved greatly
along with his ability to box. His power punches consistently thudded on
Manfredo’s frame.
The fight was part of the HBO After Dark Series.
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