Former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is planning to return to the ring in early 2024.
Chavez has been on the shelf for some time.
The Mexican fighter shot down reports that he was struggling with his health.
“I’m fine, I’m going to fight in January or February, I’m ready. Of course I’m fine, I’m healthy. A lot of rubbish has been said about me, but I’m here,” said Chavez Jr. to Boxing King Media.
Chave, 37-years-old, has not fought since 2021, the year in which he had fights against Anderson Silva and David Zegarra.
In what many saw as a shocker, Chávez lost by split decision against Silva, a former UFC champion with far less experience in professional boxing. Chavez bounced back in December of the same year with a decision win over Zegarra.
Chávez captured the World Boxing Council middleweight title in 2011 after defeating Sebastian Zbik and that win made him the first Mexican boxer to win a world title at 160-pounds.
But over the last few years, Chavez has had well documented struggles with weight and being dedicated in camp. While always looking to fight at the super middleweight limit of 168, Chavez has mostly competed at light heavyweight and above since 2015. His last two fights were fought at 184 and 186.
One of the biggest fights at the super middleweight limit is a clash between undisputed champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and unbeaten challenger David Benavidez.
In 2017, Canelo dominated Chavez over twelve rounds when they met in the ring at a catch-weight of 164-pounds.
He views the Canelo vs. Benavidez showdown as a very close contest.
“I think Canelo can beat [Benavidez], but Canelo has to be at his best with a lot of movement and good conditioning. Benavidez is very skilled, very tall and tough. I think it’s 50-50,” Chavez stated.