 Philly Revenge for Ivan Robinson
By David A. Avila (May 28, 2005)
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An emotionally charged Ivan Robinson intends to complete his mission today: beat Julio Cesar Chavez.
It was 15 years ago that Robinson’s buddy Meldrick Taylor was beaten by Chavez (107-5-2, 88 KOs) in a controversial fight that took place in Las Vegas. Robinson seeks to avenge his fellow Philadelphian at the Staples Center. The fight will be shown on Showtime pay-per-view.
“I don’t need to see no tape, I know what he can do,” said Robinson (32-9-2) of Mexico’s Chavez. “He beat a friend of mine in Meldrick Taylor in a brutal fight.”
In that fight Chavez met Taylor in a battle of undefeated junior welterweight title-holders. That night Taylor used his speedy combinations to keep the Mexican fighter off, but in the 12th and final round Chavez caught the former Olympian with a right hand that dropped him. Though he got up, referee Richard Steele stopped the fight with seconds remaining to give Chavez the win. Many felt Taylor would have won easily on points. They fought again four years later but Chavez manhandled the Philly fighter much easier. It lasted only eight rounds.
“He’s on a different level than I am,” said Robinson. “Julio Cesar Chavez is a legend.”
But Robinson knows how to deal with hard-hitting punchers. He’s the only boxer in the world who can brag he beat boxing gladiator Arturo Gatti twice.
“Seven years ago I fought Arturo Gatti and upset the world,” said Robinson. “Everyone knows Arturo Gatti is tough, but it’s going to be even tougher against the legend.”
The 34-year-old Philly fighter was in bed when he got the call to meet Chavez.
“I nearly fell out of the bed,” said Robinson, laughing at his own reaction. “In any sport you always dream of a marquee fight or marquee match. This is it.”
Robinson will walk into the bout confident that his iron chin and experience against the best fighters in the world should enable him to compete against a fighter destined for the Hall of Fame.
“He’s a predator with powerful body punches,” Robinson said. “But he puts his shoes on and his gloves on like I do. I’m just going to be the better man.”
Chavez looks at Robinson and nods his head.
“I wanted to fight a good fighter, not some easy guy,” said Chavez.
Other bouts
IBF bantamweight title-holder Rafael Marquez (33-3), the knockout producing younger brother of IBF and WBA featherweight title-holder Juan Manuel Marquez, defends his belt against Tijuana’s Ricardo “Chapo” Vargas.
It’s a chance to see the Mexico City fighting style taught by that city’s great boxing trainer, Nacho Beristain, who will be in Marquez’s corner. That same style propelled the now-retired Ricardo “Finito” Lopez to an undefeated career of 51 wins and no losses and one draw.
Vargas (37-10-3) is no slouch either. The square-jawed fighter can take a punch and has upset many fighters in his career, including several matches in the Riverside area.
In a junior lightweight elimination bout, Jesus Chavez meets Carlos Hernandez. Both are former world title-holders who share a loss to Erik Morales. Winner gets a rematch.
“He’s a dangerous fighter,” Hernandez (41-4) said of Chavez. “People say he’s like a Mack truck. I’m kind of the same way, but I’m like a train. I keep coming.”
Chavez, who is no relation to Julio Cesar Chavez, said the winner stays in the sport.
“We both love boxing,” said Chavez (40-3), who fights out of Austin, Texas. “It’s going to be a grudge match.”
Also on the fight card will be Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., looking to keep his undefeated record intact.
“Tell my friends in Mira Loma and Riverside hello,” Chavez (18-0) said.
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