Chavez vs Manfredo: Challenger Considers Retirement If He Can't Win

by Scott Christ on Nov 18, 2011 1:07 AM EST in Boxing News Analysis

Peter Manfredo Jr is an honest, working class fighter. On Saturday night, he'll get a shot at Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and the WBC middleweight title, live on HBO from Reliant Arena in Houston. And, he tells RingTV.com, if he doesn't win, he might hang up the gloves:

"How many more shots am I going to get? Let’s be honest here. This is my best opportunity. This guy [Chavez] isn’t a great fighter. Come on. I think I’m better than he is. If I can’t beat him, then I’m going to retire," said Manfredo Jr.

"I’m not going to hang around for years. For what? If I can pull this off, then I can be a rich man and it would set me up for a perfect ending to a wonderful career. But if I can’t beat this guy, then I’ll retire and go home and be a father and be a husband and do my thing."

Manfredo (37-6, 20 KO) is considered an underdog not because of his skill level as compared to Chavez (43-0-1, 30 KO), but because he's a higher-profile fighter in whom much money has been invested, which he tends to return with impressive performances at the gate. Chavez, 25, has been accused of benefiting from the political side of boxing, as his father's name carries weight. Close fights have always gone his way, even bafflingly so: Notably, his first fight against Matt Vanda in 2008, when many felt the journeyman deserved the win, only to receive split decision scores of 96-95 in Vanda's favor, plus a reaching-at-best 97-93 and an absolutely unbelievable 100-90 for Chavez.

Many feel that to win this fight, Manfredo will not only be fighting Chavez, but also an entire political system within the sport.

Whether or not that proves to be the case, we'll find out on Saturday. Hopefully, "The Pride of Providence" gets a fair shake. If he does, it could be a 50-50 fight.

HBO will broadcast Chavez vs Manfredo at 10:30 EST on Saturday night.

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Manfredo owns. TKO-11

Manning out for season + Texans "improved" defense = Texans AFC South Division CHAMPS

by battle axe of doom on Nov 18, 2011 1:21 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Manfredo unfortunately needs to knock Chavez Jr. ice-cold… If this goes to the score-cards he’s going to get shafted.

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.
- Edmund Hillary

by Stevosaurus Rex on Nov 18, 2011 1:41 AM EST reply actions

Is there any way

he can get shafted if he knocks Chavez Jr. out cold? Because if they can find an angle they will.
I like Manfredo, but I don’t see him knocking Chavez Jr. out. So good luck to him on the scorecards.

by tacklerford on Nov 18, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions

Its a shameful sign when you can predict the fights that will be robberies, but thats boxing nowadays.

Seeing a wide UD for Manfedo that goes to JCC instead.

by Shitali Klitschko on Nov 18, 2011 10:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Manfredo can’t win in Houston, and it pisses me off. He’s not a bad fighter at all, I personally think he’s better than Chavez.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939

by BoxAnne on Nov 18, 2011 10:35 AM EST reply actions

Thats the main thing about Boxing I cant take.

We KNOW there will be a screw job if Manfredo actually wins the fight but goes to decision and it goes to the scorecards. I mean yes there are some bad decisions in MMA. But not on purpose and no where near as frequent. Very frustrating. Why cant the best man just win? Does anybody think Chavez Jr KNOWS he has the judges in his back pocket and uses it to his advantage?

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

@xFenixKnightx on the Twitter

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 18, 2011 1:40 PM EST reply actions

Were everything equal, I would give Manfredo a shot at winning. I think their skill levels are similar. For all the shit we give Chavez (deservedly)…he does have some skills. He does good body work. So…the equation goes…similar skills + one man is the higher profile/higher money-maker = wide UD victory for said fighter. As already stated above, it’s sad that we can practically determine outcomes as soon as fights are made vs. waiting to you know, actually watch them. That being said, I’m rooting for Manfredo lol.

by KidSleez on Nov 18, 2011 8:15 PM EST reply actions