Chavez Jr sets up Golovkin showdown with a convincing win over Vera. Salido overcomes Lomachenko

In the co-main event from San Antonio, Texas, Vasyl Lomachenko entered the professional ranks amid worldwide acclaim. A stellar amateur career that came to close following his 397th fight, which amounted to a record of 396-1, three world titles and two Olympic gold medals. Having dispatched of Jose Ramirez in four rounds, Lomachenko announced he would attempt to win a world title in a record setting second pro fight. WBO Featherweight champion Orlando Salido, a seasoned grizzled veteran of 56 fights, was a formidable challenge for an inexperienced pro fighter. Amateur and professional boxing are two different sports.

The opening rounds were relatively quiet, with short spurts of action. Salido, a notoriously slow starter, had little to worry about as Lomachenko seemed content to probe with little intent. Through the mid rounds Salido played the experience card very effectively, depositing shots on the belt line, hoping they would cash in late in the fight. With his back to the referee and in the clinches, Salido proceeded to add some low shots on the referee’s blind side for good measure.

Lomachenko declined an invitation to engage in a dirty scrap. Vasyl failed to make use of a jab of any kind, and for the most part was uncreative. Lomachenko’s first genuine breakthrough came in the final round, when he hurt Salido and looked for a finish. As the final bell rang it was apparent to all in attendance, including the three judges, that it was too little too late as they handed in scorecards of 115-113, 116-112, 115-113 in favor of Salido.

In a fight that promised much but delivered little, Lomachenko did little to justify the hype he was carrying. He did however prove he is competitive at this level, which in itself speaks volumes of what is still largely untapped potential as a professional. It was a case of too much too soon.

In a polar opposite contest, the main event delivered a brutal all action encounter between Julio Chavez Jr. and Bryan Vera. A rematch of their largely disputed first clash, they picked up where they left off in round 13. Chavez began the bout on the back foot, working Vera over with his jab. Round 3 saw some back and forth action as both men exchanged solid right hands. A Chavez lead left hook found a home on Vera’s chin, and a powerful right straight followed suit.

In rounds 4 and 5 Chavez pressed forward while Vera happily obliged to meet him head on. In close, Vera dropping his head an inch to the side and splitting Chavez guard with well placed uppercuts that rocked Chavez’ head back. In Round 8 Chavez landed a hurtful flurry on Vera against the ropes, after which Vera leaned heavily on Chavez, pressing his head towards the canvas. The referee took a point from Vera.

Rounds 9 through 10 saw Vera work his way back into the fight with some flurries, it was Chavez however who was landing the more damaging shots. Round 11 Vera had to dig deep after absorbing a brutal right hand from Chavez and some follow up shots. After a bruising 11 rounds, the final round went out with little action as Chavez proceeded to taunt Vera. He even found time for an ‘Ali shuffle’.

The judges scorecards read: 114-113, 117-110, 117-110 for Julio Cesar Chavez. As in many fights, Chavez’ pressure and size wore Vera down as the rounds went by. Few could argue with the scorecards. Even in defeat, Vera’s stock will not fall dramatically after a courageous performance. In the post fight interview Chavez dropped Gennady Golovkin’s name as a potential future opponent. With few other viable options, Chavez is certainly a credible option for Golovkin. With the Vera situation resolved, Chavez now looks to plough forward in typical Chavez fashion.