Happy Birthday Julio!

The World Boxing Council are delighted and proud to congratulate the truly great Mexican champion Julio César Chávez on his 61st birthday.

With the panache of “Chariots of Fire,” Julio César Chavez came, saw, and conquered, earning the laurels and plaudits! Born in Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, but brought up in Culican, Sinaloa he went on to become the greatest Mexican fighter of all time. He`s nicknamed El Gran Campeon, El Gran Leon de Culican and JC Superstar to name but a few. To us He`s Simply The Best!

Julio reached one hundred fights with only two losses. Nothing surpasses the awesome and titanic drama of that classic, which unfolded and unfurled against Meldrick Taylor, in March 1990, where, starring defeat in the face, Julio refused to be downcast, dug deep and achieved a super nova bolt of lighting finale. With a supreme final effort, which eludes mere mortals, in the dying embers, Julio defiantly fought with the pride of a lion, battering Taylor, cornering him, and then delivering a crushing overhead right to drop him. A victory worthy of a phoenix rising from the ashes. 

And although a befuddled Meldrick bravely regained his feet, the fight was rightly stopped by Referee Richard Steele, just two seconds before the twelve rounds were up. An incredible and dramatic triumph, a brilliant coup, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. A feat only within the reach, grasp and capability of a Superstar. An All Time Great!

When considering, contemplating and savouring Boxing during the eighties and early nineties, we remember Mike Tyson and Oscar De la Hoya, but especially Julio César Chavez, who was the only boxer in history to pack the huge Azteca Stadium from basement to rafters, with a record 136,274 fans. It was the fitting backdrop to the classic clash versus Greg Haugen, which earned a Green and Gold star in the Guinness Book of Records pages for being the most attended boxing evening in history, shattering the old Dempsey Vs Tunney spectacular.

With twenty one illustrious years as a professional, JC shaped, formed, built and reinforced with a record of 107 fights won, 86 of them by knockout, 6 losses and only 2 draws. World champion in the super-feather, light, and superlight divisions. In addition, he fought a world record of 37 world title fights.

Congratulations Julio. Hands down the Greatest Mexican boxer, you`ve earned the right to put your feet up!