Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. added another win to his resume on Saturday night, although it’s tough to say if he made many new fans in Tampa after beating ex-UFC fighter Uriah Hall by decision on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry card.
Following a nearly three-year long layoff, Chavez definitely had something to prove in his return but really his win was all about sticking to the basics and just showcasing better fundamentals than an opponent with limited boxing experience. Chavez mainly stuck behind his jab and occasionally let loose with a big hook but he wasn’t doing much damage.
Still, he did enough to win the rounds and secure the victory with the judges scoring the fight 59-55, 59-55 and 58-56 all for Chavez.
“He’s a strong dude but I got my distance … he’s a great competitor,” Chavez said afterward. “The win is easy. It’s a good fight. Great athlete, great person, that’s it. He’s tough, he’s strong. He’s not a boxer.
It was an active start for Chavez, who showed poise and experience against the former UFC fighter, as he displayed a good jab and kept mixing up his punches in the early going. The best punch for Chavez in the opening round was a solid hook that snapped Hall’s head around but that didn’t back him down in the exchanges.
Hall was the aggressor, pressing forward and closing the distance but he wasn’t quite as active with his combinations. That said, Hall’s pace seemed to disrupt Chavez, who slowed down and started throwing one punch at a time rather than putting things together in succession.
As time passed, Hall tried to take advantage of Chavez’s lack of activity but he just couldn’t really land anything effectively. Chavez seemed to know he could pick and choose his shots and really just outwork Hall over the course of six rounds.
With three minutes remaining, Chavez finally picked up his pace a bit more, although he was still largely sticking behind a well-timed jab and then occasionally launching a power punch. Chavez was also consistently working to the body with Hall struggling to really slip through his opponent’s defense.
It was anything but an exciting affair but Chavez did enough to get the win while a dejected Hall left the ring after the decision was announced.
While it seems unlikely he’ll get his wish, Chavez shot for the stars with the callout for his next fight.
“Jake Paul, why not?” Chavez said. “I’m a better fighter than his opponents, that’s for sure.”
