The Big Debate: Jesus “El Matador” Chavez vs. Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez.

Well fight fans, welcome to another addition of the “Big Debate.” I must say my fellow fanatics; boxing is really picking up a head of steam as we make our way into the summer months. This weekend brings some excellent match-ups with the most interesting one being Jesus Chavez vs. Carlos Hernandez. This clash brings us two of the hardest working, underappreciated, toughest hombres in the sport, vying for the right to face WBC super featherweight titlist Marco Antonio Barrera. You really hate to see these two warriors fight each other, as only one will end up with a big payday after this fight that both really deserve. Such is life, and boxing is life, so we soldier on and wish both of them the best. Enough of all of the senseless talking, time to make my case.

Why Jesus “El Matador” Chavez will win.

I must admit that that choosing Chavez is more of a “conventional wisdom” pick than actually what my gut tells me. After interviewing the extremely likable Hernandez, I almost felt obligated to pick him to win. Still, after pondering my reasons as to that pick, I really decided to emotionally detach myself and just stick to what wisdom tells me. The facts are that Jesus is a more talented, better schooled, stronger fighter than “El Famoso.” Chavez has really come on in the past three years and his legs are a little fresher. The problem is that he is injury prone and there is always the risk of that happening during the course of a fight (remember the Erik Morales tilt?).

Still, all things being equal, I think, “El Matador” is just a better all around fighter than Hernandez, as he can box and has a pretty solid set of whiskers. I see this fight being highly contested for about seven rounds, with both pugilists having success and doing damage. As the fight wears on, Chavez’ talent, and more polished boxing skills will start to tell and he will pull away on the scorecards. Jesus is a very underrated body puncher and he will need it to take a little of the steam out of the rushing Hernandez. This one will probably go twelve rounds, with Chavez winning a close unanimous decision. Then again, I really do not care who wins as both of these great warriors deserve to be victorious.

What do you have to say about that “Jimmy the Gent?”

Firstly, I would like to thank Andrew Golota for keeping my monumental “Big Debate” losing streak intact. Secondly, I will say that SaddoBoxing.com was the first boxing site to give the fight between Jesus Chavez and Carlos Hernandez the true recognition it deserves and we shall continue to do so throughout this week. Of course, Sergio “El campeón magnífico de las predicciones de la plato” Martinez was charitable enough to himself in opting for the fight favorite in “El Matador,” therefore, I shall go about the business of explaining exactly why this upstart Chavez cannot hope to defeat the grizzled fight veteran in Hernandez.

Why Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez will win.

A feature of Floyd Mayweather Jr’s. quality as a fighter is that at one time, he took on Carlos Hernandez and Jesus Chavez back to back. The difference on these two occasions is that Hernandez heard the final bell, and though dubiously, takes credit for a knockdown against Mayweather. On the other hand, Chavez’s challenge to Mayweather was halted in nine rounds. What is wrong with this picture is that we are talking about Floyd Mayweather, not Kostya Tszyu. Mayweather is a sharp puncher, his style dictates that he depends on speed and accuracy rather than hammer blows to debilitate his opponent, and yet, Chavez relented before the duration.

Inactivity is yet another factor weighing heavily in Hernandez’ favor. A fight with Erik Morales is an experience not many fighters would willingly repeat. And yet, in contrast to the sixteen months Chavez spent idle following his Morales loss, Hernandez got back into the fray, albeit against the meager threat of a faded Juan Carlos Ramirez, but nonetheless, Hernandez need not worry about the problem of ring rust; a luxury not afforded to Chavez at this time.

These two fighters are very similar in age and fight experience, but in terms of physical toughness, they are a league apart. One senses that even under the most unrelenting assault, Hernandez will not weaken; he will not break under the strain. One cannot say the same of Chavez. I cannot forget the courageous efforts of both men as they have given us many precious moments to savor, and truly, in this case, as deserving as they are, to offer a wayward prediction here is no shame. However, I rest my case on the basis that in what he possibly knows is his final chance for glory; Hernandez will make his country proud by winning a decision in a close fight before ascending to the top of the mountain against Marco Antonio Barrera.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com

Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk