MEXICO CITY, 23 May 2004 — Mexico’s veteran boxing great Julio Cesar Chavez vowed on Friday to win the final fight of his 24-year career against longtime rival Frankie Randall.
Chavez, who punched his way to world titles at three different weights, insists he will hang up his gloves after facing Randall over 10 rounds in Mexico City’s Plaza Mexico bullring.
Once rated one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Chavez, 41, has suffered just five losses in 112 fights, the first to Tennessee-based Randall in a title bout in Las Vegas 10 years ago. He won it back four months later.
Looking trim in white jogging pants and a red T-shirt as he weighed in at a Mexico City hotel on Friday, Chavez said he felt “strong and very calm”, and that the outcome of the clash was in no doubt. “I’m going to win,” he told Reuters.
Now a grandfather, he has retired before only to make a comeback. But this time Chavez has vowed to hang up his gloves for good after the bout, billed by promoters as “Goodbye, Mexico ... Thanks.”
“He is in the best shape of his life,” Chavez’ long-term trainer Romulo Quirarte told Reuters. “He’s been training for a win, either by knock out or on points, and that’s what we’ll see.”
Making his debut in the paid ranks in February 1980, Chavez battled his way to win World Boxing Council titles at super featherweight, lightweight and light welterweight, racking up a record 37 title bouts.
