Andrzej Fonfara cracks Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. with a right (Photo: Esther Lin – Showtime)
By Chris Robinson
On Saturday night, determined Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara (27-3, 16 KO’s) upset Mexican star Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KO’s) in a way that very few expected.
Chavez was overall dominated and dropped hard in the ninth round before failing to come out for the tenth in a Showtime Championship Boxing attraction.
Fonfara, a Poland native now residing in Chicago, dropped Chavez for the first time in hi career with a wide hook 50 seconds into the ninth as 8,636 mostly pro-Chavez fans were taken aback.
Once he returned to the corner, Chavez could be heard speaking with trainer Joe Goossen while explaining that he had hurt his right leg and could no longer continue. Moments later, the fight was waived off.
The busier and more accurate fighter throughout, Fonfara was comfortably ahead on the three judges’ scorecards by scored of 89-80 and 88-81 twice after nine full rounds.
Fonfara was not shocked at his triumph but more so jubilant.
“I knew he was a tough fighter, quick and in good shape but when he hit me for the first time in the first round, I knew I was going to win this fight,” Fonfara explained.
“He didn’t punch as hard as everybody said he did,” Fonfara added. “I saw his punches easily coming in. I know I threw more punches. I was a little surprised that he did not come out for the (10th) but he was cut, had been getting beat up and had just got knocked down, so he knew what would happen if he came out.”
Fonfara now seems interested in a rematch with WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson, who he lost a competitive decision to last May.
As for Chavez, it’s now back to the drawing board.
“Maybe 170,172 pounds is too big for me, maybe I’ll go back down,” Chavez stated. “I’m not sure what my future holds. It was a very tough fight. But I congratulate Andrzej.”
Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com