Controversy at a Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight has become commonplace over the past year and it’s happened once again.
Five rounds into his main event fight against Daniel Jacobs on DAZN, Chavez said he was unable to continue fighting, appearing to cite a possible broken nose. Regardless of the reason, the crowd in Phoenix, Arizona was beyond livid and started booing Chavez and throwing objects at him from food items to alcohol, some of which even hit the DAZN broadcast team.
The moment #JacobsChavezJr was stopped. pic.twitter.com/ZnpaUN1sgs
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) December 21, 2019
JCC Sr. wasn't happy. #JacobsChavezJr pic.twitter.com/IhGEiNMtAi
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) December 21, 2019
This was just the latest chapter in what has been a very long book that is Chavez’s career. The buildup for the fight against Jacobs had plenty of roadblocks that nearly derailed the fight multiple times. Several weeks ago, Chavez was temporarily suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for not taking a drug test due to Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn originally requesting the fight take place in Las Vegas. What followed in the ensuing weeks was a legal battle that ultimately resulted in Chavez getting a Temporary Restraining Order against the commission and NSAC Executive Director Bob Bennett. This cleared the path for the fight to go through as planned.
But then came the weigh-ins and Chavez came in overweight, nearly five pounds heavier than the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds, which is what both fighters signed up to fight in. A last minute deal was struck that would allow the fight to be contested at a 173-pound catchweight, after Chavez paid Jacobs a million dollars from his own purse.
The co-main event provided a much more positive response from the crowd with Julio Cesar Martinez and Cristofer Rosales having an action-packed bout for the WBC flyweight title. Martinez punished Rosales to the point the referee stopped the fight in the ninth round to win the world title.
