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Bob Arum won't have it with any ideas that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr is in easy again when he faces Marco Antonio Rubio on February 4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, live on HBO. Here's what he said on Tuesday at a press conference, via RingTV.com:
"I have no idea what people in general know or don't know about Rubio. I just know that Chavez gets extremely good ratings when he fights on HBO, and that the people who really follow boxing know what a dangerous opponent Rubio is."
This is one of my favorite tactics that promoters use -- the ol' "people who really follow boxing think this is good and if you don't agree then you don't really follow boxing. Don't you want to be cool?" bit.
And look, it's not even a case where I don't think this is a good fight; it's a good fight. It really is, and I'm looking forward to watching it. But I still can't help but laugh at the prodding here.
[ Related: Double-Header Signed / Official Fight Poster ]
I can help clear up one mystery, though: "People in general" know nothing about Rubio. What Chavez's TV ratings have to do with anything here is totally unclear, but it sounds good and takes your attention away from being critical. Another sweet move.
Bob Arum slays me sometimes.