Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Replaced; Fight Card Goes On

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was forced off the main event fight card after 103-degree temperatures followed brisk training.

Bob Arum told the media earlier Tuesday that Chavez had contracted the flu and will be replaced by Mexico’s Jose Pinzon (18-1-1, 12 KOs) who will meet Poland’s Pawel Wolak (27-1, 17 KOs) in the main event of the talented fight card this Saturday Dec. 4. The Top Rank fight card takes place at the Honda Center and will be televised on pay-per-view.

Arum said that Chavez tried to stay on the card but after a regular workout he had his temperature taken and it raced past the 100 mark. Anyone who bought tickets and wants their money back is free to do so.

The bout between Pinzon and Wolak is not nearly as attractive as Chavez and Alfonso Gomez but there are still many other very interesting bouts remaining.

Nonito

Former flyweight world champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire (24-1, 16 KOs) fights former bantamweight world titleholder Volodymyr Sydorenko (22-2-2, 7 KOs) for an interim version of the WBA bantamweight title.

“Sydorenko is a very tough guy. He is very experienced and he knows how to win as well,” says Donaire.“He is there to bring his name up as well in beating me.”

Sydorenko of the Ukraine held the title for three years and made six successful title defenses. That’s no easy feat.

“He has a different style than I have seen,” says Donaire, whose style is also rather different too.

Donaire has been unable to fight a credible opponent that regular fans want to see. Money kept him from a rematch with Vic Darchinyan who wanted equal money. That was not going to happen because Donaire is guaranteed a certain amount. He wasn’t going to give up his half to Darchinyan. I don’t blame him.

Whoever wins has been promised a date with current WBC and WBO bantamweight titleholder Fernando Montiel of Mexico on Feb. 19. Montiel is fresh off his victory of Japan’s Hozumi Hasegawa who just beat Mexico’s Juan Carlos Burgos by decision. Recently, Montiel has reloaded and no longer employs a safety-first style that bored fans to tears. Donaire and Montiel would be a firecracker of a fight. If Donaire wins on Saturday.

Soto and Antillon

Mexico’s Humberto Soto (53-7-2, 32 KOs), the WBC lightweight world titleholder, defends against Maywood’s talented Urbano Antillon (28-1, 20 KOs).

Both Soto and Antillon met each other before and hit it off. That usually means it’s going to be a war in the ring.

“I tried not to like him but he’s a good guy,” said Antillon. “It’s business.”

Soto has been hanging around at the top for a number of years. His problem is he doesn’t have dynamite in his hands. But Antillon does.

Antillon is another fighter who has been hanging around for years never really getting a chance. Two years ago he was unbeatable but was never given a shot at one of the titleholders. He finally got one but it came against a southpaw with speed and power. He just can’t seem to get a break.

Soto and Antillon could be the fight of the year.

Other fights on the card include Riverside’s undefeated featherweight Miguel Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) facing Olivier Lontchi (18-1-2, 8 KOs); and Indio’s Gabino Saenz in his second pro fight.

Fights on television

Fri. Showtime, 11:00 p.m., Lateef Kayode (14-0) vs. Ed Perry (18-4-2).

Fri. Telefutura, 11:30 p.m., Pablo Cano (20-0-1) vs. Noe Bolanos (21-5-1).

Sat. pay-per-view, 6 p.m., Julio Cesar Chavez (41-0-1) vs. Pawel Wolak (27-1); Nonito Donaire (24-1) vs. Volodymyr Sydorenko (22-2-2); Humberto Soto (53-7-2) vs. Urbano Antillon (28-1); Miguel Garcia (23-0) vs. Olivier Lontchi (18-1-2).

Sat. Televisa, 8:30 p.m., Saul Alvarez (34-0-1) vs. Lovemore N’Dou (48-11-2).

Sat. Showtime, 9 p.m., Dan Henderson (25-8) vs. Renato Sobral (36-8).