Former middleweight champions Daniel Jacobs and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. meet at 168

Former world middleweight champions Daniel Jacobs and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will clash in a super-middleweight showdown at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona this Friday, December 20.

Jacobs, (35-3, 29 KO’s), a popular former champion at 160-pounds, makes the move up to 168-pounds looking to become a 2-weight champion. In Jacobs’ last fight he battled Mexican star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez with his IBF crown on the line, while Alvarez was putting up his WBA and WBC belts. Alvarez won the match by decision.

Chavez Jr. (51-3-1 33 KO’s), the son of Mexican, all-time legend Julio Caesar Chavez, is looking to revive his career after having only fought 3 times in the last 3 years.

Chavez turned pro 17 years ago as a teenager and was under immense pressure right off the bat to live up to the “Chavez” name made great by his father who is boxing royalty in Mexico. Despite a limited amateur career, Chavez Jr. learned his trade on the job and improved, eventually winning a world title in 2011 against Sebastian Zbek.

The year that followed was probably the best of his career that saw him make 3 title defenses against veterans Peter Manfredo Jr. and Marco Antonio Rubio along with beating popular Irish star Andy Lee. However, it was at that point that things started to change.

Chavez Jr. was notoriously frustrating to trainer Freddie Roach. He missed scheduled workout times, slept and trained when he felt like it and appeared to completely disregard any advice but his own. He entered the ring woefully unprepared to face Sergio Martinez in September of 2012 and lost a unanimous decision. He returned to the ring a year later and has been 4-3 since then.

Unimpressive wins against Brian Vera, a misguided decision to take a shot at a light heavyweight title and being completely outclassed by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, have left fans wondering if there is anything left.

This was a kid that had a country waiting to worship him - they wanted another ‘Chavez’ to adore and he could have been it. The dedication, career commitment and outlandish training methods had many people wondering if Jr. really had the passion required to compete at the top level of the game.

But, he returned this past summer to pick up a win against veteran Evert Bravo in Mexico and if the on-line postings are any indication he appears to be in terrific shape. He is a big guy who is all of the 6 feet in height he is listed as. So, it isn’t a surprise that he has outgrown the middleweight limit; super middleweight is a better range for him.

In recent interviews, Chavez was not shy about saying that he can best all of the current champions and feels if he can get a win this Friday that he will indeed be fighting for another world title in 2020.

“I’m going to be very ready and am in great shape for this fight. I am really happy about this fight”, he said. "Going against Daniel Jacobs is the perfect fight for me because there is so much on the line," Chavez said. "A victory gets me one step closer to a world championship and I’m not going to let anyone stand in my way”, he said. "I know that Danny Jacobs is a former world champion and is a strong fighter with very good boxing skills. Those are the kind of boxers that bring out the best in me”, he continued.

But, fans have seen Chavez before and when interested and focused is a good, solid world-class fighter. When he isn’t focused and dedicated, he looks like a disinterested observer along for the ride staying afloat in the game at an elite level because of his last name. But, he says he is re-charged and ready to go after another world title.

“I’ve been working hard in the gym and can’t wait to let everyone see what I’ve been working on. I’m very motivated to get the win and at the end of the night I will have my hand raised in victory. I ask my fans to believe in me. I will deliver," he said.

A lot of questions surrounding Chavez Jr. will be answered Friday in Phoenix.