Chavez vs Rubio: Marco Antonio Rubio Asks WBC To Assign New Referee

by Scott Christ on Jan 29, 2012 2:33 PM EST in Boxing News Analysis

Marco Antonio Rubio wants a new referee for his fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Marco Antonio Rubio is asking the WBC to assign an international referee for his February 4 WBC middleweight title fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, according to Fightnews.com.

The assigned referee is Mexico's Guadalupe Garcia. There's no history with Garcia favoring Chavez in fights or anything like that, as he's only worked one Chavez fight in the past (a 2008 Chavez knockout of Tobia Giuseppe Loriga). This is a minor power play from Rubio's team, reflecting Rubio's feelings that the deck is no doubt stacked against him. He's said as much already, publicly stating he feels he has to knock Chavez out to get a win, and will not be able to win on the scorecards.

Rubio (53-5-1, 46 KO) is currently not as big a betting underdog as you might expect, with Chavez favored at -370 and Rubio a +310 underdog. He's just looking to make this as fair as he believes he can make it, I suspect, and doesn't want to risk having a Mexican referee potentially favor a favored Mexican son. If the WBC follows their own rules, they shouldn't have any problem with this, or with finding an international referee.

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Rubio looks like he's from a totally different era in that photo.

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by Oli Goldstein on Jan 29, 2012 3:14 PM EST reply actions

He does in every photo

It’s the pornstache.

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by Brickhaus on Jan 29, 2012 4:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

How old is he? 48?

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by xFenixKnightx on Jan 30, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Regardless of what his reasons are I’m with Rubio on this. Garcia is a terrible ref. He’s often unsure of himself and looks confused half the time. He’s the one who stopped the 2nd Marquez-Vazquez fight even though Marquez was still punching back

by Eugene Banks on Jan 29, 2012 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Rubio has a good shot in this fight

He’s a real pro, with a lot of gym and ring experience.

Oh, and Chavez has no defense whatsoever.

I consider Rubio the more complete fighter.

If his chin holds up, he’s live.

Of course, this assumes he’ll get a fair shake on the cards, which is dumb.

by Lee Payton on Jan 29, 2012 3:51 PM EST reply actions

Rubio is playing his before-fight cards, when you fight a guy so protected like chavez jr. you have to do that… he doesn’t want to let a chance to the robbery… good move, keeps that pressure rubio….

by EL CIERTO (VEN) on Jan 29, 2012 4:09 PM EST reply actions

He needs new judges as well

Rubio dont matter about the ref if you dont KO this guy you will not get the decision vs Chavez. The only man in punch stat history to get out punched by 300 punches and still win the fight…..lol

by DL3 on Jan 30, 2012 9:20 AM EST reply actions