Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. continued his progression in his young pro career with a solid performance to defeat Italian Tobia Giuseppe Loriga by 9th round KO in Mexico. Loriga, 24-1-1, 6 KO’s, was a game challenger but Chavez showed his offensive firepower early by dropping Loriga with an impressive straight right hand in the second round. Loriga beat the count but he took a beating from Chavez Jr. who pounded the smaller man to the head and body with a variety of shots the entire fight.

Chavez Jr. showed a nice arsenal of punches and seems to be hitting harder now that his 22-year old body has developed. Julio was in control the entire fight, displaying sound defense to avoid almost all of Loriga’s punches while making good use of his Mexican trademark left hook to the body. There was some drama in the 8th round however when Chavez slipped on a ring logo and twisted his ankle. Loriga tried to press his attack against his wounded challenger but was unable to do any damage.

The end came in the 9th when Chavez landed his best punch, a straight right to the head that put Loriga down and in serious trouble. Swollen and battered, Loriga was wobbled but stayed upright until Chavez showed his killer instinct by finishing Loriga off with a flurry of shots punctuated by two hard straight rights that floored the Italian hard.Loriga rose at the count of 10 but his will was broken as the ref waved off the fight at 1:47.

On the undercard Hector Camacho Jr., 45-3-1, 25 KO’s, won an 8 round unanimous decision on the undercard to set up a fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The fight would match the two sons of the ring legends who fought each other over 15 years ago. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. had this to say: "I want Macho. I'm ready for him. If he wants some, it would be a great fight, let's make it." Camacho Jr. was an amateur champion in 1996 but has been largely a disappointment as a pro. The 29-year old Camacho Jr. has above-average skills but he is a faint hearted fighter that will be giving up 4" inches in height to Chavez Jr., 36-0-1, 29 KO’s. I would have to make Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as an early 3-1 boxing betting favorite if that fight comes off in the near future.

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