SCP Auctions is proud to present this amazing fight worn robe from the personal collection of the greatest Mexican boxer of all time. Julio César Chávez is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter ever, known for his rock-solid chin, devastating left hook, and relentless attacking style. A 6-time World Champion in three different weight classes, Chávez won his first 87 bouts—the longest winning streak in boxing history and one that stretched 13 years. Not until his 91st fight was the man even knocked down in the ring, which just so happened to be his first loss. Chávez still holds records for most title fights (37), title fight victories (31) and title defenses (27). Perhaps his most gut-wrenching victory was October 29, 1988 at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas over good friend and fellow Mexican Jose Luis Ramirez to defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Lightweight title and take over the World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight crown as well. Chávez wore this festive robe into the ring for that Championship fight.
The long, white custom-made satin robe is decorated with a flashy green, silver and red trim in a festive Mexican flag theme. The back has a large Golden Eagle that symbolizes Mexico’s Coat of Arms along with “J.C. Chavez” and Sinaloa Mex” in lovely red-bordered cursive lettering. Chávez trained out of Culiacan, Sinaloa for most of his career. The sleeves have zippers on both ends and there are pockets lined with the same shiny green, silver and red ornate pattern on each side. On the front chest area, Chávez has added a large signature in thick 8-9/10 black marker with the salutation “De su Amigo,” which translates to “from your friend” in English. It shows appropriate wear throughout. Some red has bled a bit from being laundered. There are no holes and very little fraying is evident. It presents beautifully.
At the age of 26, Chávez came into this 1988 WBC/WBA title fight against Ramirez as the reigning WBC Lightweight Champion, coming off two title defenses and holding an overall record of 61-0 with 50 knockouts. Ramirez was 29 years old with a career record of 101-6 (82 KO’s) and looking to defend his WBC Lightweight belt a third time. Gut-wrenching is putting this match-up lightly. Not only were they very close friends who trained together in Culiacan, Sinaloa; they were “compadres” as Chávez had chosen Ramirez to be the Godfather (“Padrino”) of his son, Julio César Chávez, Jr. After the two touched gloves, the friendship was put on hold and the two traded blows for 10 rounds. Ramirez had trouble defending Chávez’s superior hand speed. While Chávez never officially scored a knockdown, he buckled Ramirez's knees in the 4th round with a right hand that sent him reeling backward in a half squat. In the 11th of the scheduled 12-round bout, the two fighters butted heads, causing Ramirez’s head to gush blood uncontrollably. The referee was forced to stop the fight, but not before penalizing Chávez a point in the scoring. The decision went to the judges' scoring of the first 10 rounds. Even with Steele's deduction, Chávez was ahead on all three scorecards and awarded the victory via Technical Decision. Ramirez protested that the butt was intentional. Chávez thought differently. "When he comes in, he lowers his head too much."
Julio César Chávez was born July 12, 1962 in Obrégon, Mexico in the state of Sonora. Influenced by his older brothers, he started boxing at 16 years old before moving to Tijuana to pursue a professional career. The 5’6” Chávez had many great victories in his career, including American Meldrick Taylor twice and the late Hector “Macho” Camacho of Puerto Rico. His 1993 knockout of Greg Haugen at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City drew 132,274 and still holds the boxing attendance record. He finished with a career record of 107-6-2. Two of his six losses were to Oscar De La Hoya when the young Mexican-American was in his prime and Chávez was well into the twilight of his career. Never bashful about his ability or his legacy, Chávez had this to say about De La Hoya: "I have nothing against him, even though he beat me twice. De la Hoya was younger than me, and I was on my way out of boxing. If Oscar didn’t fight me, he would not have been anything in boxing.” In 2010, Chávez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Includes Letter of Authenticity from Julio César Chávez. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
In addition to the robe featured in this lot, the winning bidder has the opportunity to receive a special 12” by 23” copper plate with his/her name engraved that will be placed permanently on the base of Julio César Chávez’s massive 20-foot tall statue in Culiacan, Sinaloa. Since the statue’s erection in February, 2015, the Asociación Nacional de Boxeo (ANB) in partnership with Chávez’s foundation, Los Amigos del César, has charged $30,000 Mexican pesos ($1,800 USD) for such offering. That fee will be waived for the winning bidder. For more information, visit the ANB website. (http://anboxeo.com).