What's the latest?
10/1/06:
Jesus still lives in Austin Texas, and is now represented by Golden Boy Promotions. He won the IBF Lightweight World Championship in the tragic fight against Leavander Johnson on September 17, 2005. Jesus subsequently underwent shoulder surgery and is scheduled to defend his title in November. His record is 43-3.
5/28/05:
Jesus "El Matador" Chavez defeats Carlos "El Famoso" Hernandez in a "glorious bout."
After the Erik Morales fight, Jesus had to undergo shoulder and knee surgery, and spent the last year recovering and training. His first fight since March 2004 took place on the undercard of the Julio Cesar Chavez event in LA on May 28. Says Dave Wilcox on www.boxingscene.com: "The most talented Chavez of the night turned out to be Jesus Chavez. He took on the tough Carlos 'Famoso' Hernandez in a battle of former champions. As seems to be the trend lately with Bob Arum cards, these little guys put on a war. Non stop action from the first to the last bell... As the two came to center ring for the final round they embraced as if they were long lost brothers. They must be related somehow, becaues the genetics that give these two guys the will to fight so hard is rare indeed... What a glorious bout it was."
3/1/04:
Jesus "El Matador" Chavez loses title to Erik Morales in "undoubtedly one of the best brawls we'll see this year."
"Chavez
Leaves Ring With Head Up," said a New York Times sports headline on Monday.
After a remarkable 12-round battle Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Jesus Chavez lost his world championship belt to Erik Morales. But he made a lot of new fans, and gained the respect of the boxing world in the process. After injuring his shoulder in the second round, he refused to give up, and aggressively fought the remaining rounds using one hand only. The New York Times quotes boxing manager Johnny Bos: "That was one of the most courageous performances I've ever seen. That's the kind of thing that gives credence to this game, that makes it worthwhile."
Says Brent Hedtke, boxing columnist: "Regardless of the outcome [of Saturday's match,] this fight was a breath of fresh air for a sport that is continually being criticized by those in the media, and often ignored by mainstream sports fans. It encapsulated everything that makes boxing the most noble and honorable of all sporting traditions."
And from maxboxing.com: "All of you fight fans who are fixated on the heavyweight division -- wake up. The big dogs can't give you the kind of action and drama that Morales and Chavez delivered tonight at the MGM Grand's Garden Arena."
Chavez has shown this same heart and courage ever since deciding to turn his life around after his early gang involvement, as chronicled in the award-winning documentary "Split Decision."
9/1/03:
Jesus "El Matador" Chavez is WBC Superfeatherweight World Champion!
On August 15, 2003, Chavez defeated Siringmonkol
Singmanassuk to become WBC Superfeatherweight World Champion, in Austin Texas.
Jesus, a legal resident, now resides in Austin, and trains once again at Richard
Lord's Boxing Gym. Chavez's record is now 40-2.
In a sad and ironic twist, Jesus' INS deportation officer is now in prison, for "excessive use of force" in a case that resulted in the death of an immigrant.
1/1/02:
First shot at the world championship
Jesus Chavez challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the world championship in San Francisco on Saturday November 10, 2001, four years after he was deported. He had waited four years as the number one contender for this opportunity. Jesus fought intensely, but lost the fight when his corner decided he would not come out for the 10th round. His WBC superfeatherweight ranking fell to #3. Mayweather Jr. plans to vacate the title soon and move up in weight class, which may lead to another world championship shot for Chavez.
5/27/01:
Jesus defended his superfeatherweight NABF title against Juan Arias in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 26. The fight was broadcast by HBO. Jesus received a unanimous decision and a standing ovation after a hard-fought 12 rounds (the boxing press later reported the fight as having the 6th highest number of punches ever thrown). In the press conference afterwards, promoter Top Rank said that Jesus will tentatively fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the world championship on October 6, in either Las Vegas or San Antonio.
2/23/01:
With his newly issued green card, Jesus returned to fight in Austin for the first time in over three years on 2/23. He won the fight against former world champion Tom Boom-Boom Johnson in a 7th round TKO.
2/7/01 update:
Jesus Chavez is now a legal permanent resident!
Boxer Jesus
Chavez was granted his U.S. permanent residence ("green card")
today, at the U.S. Consulate in Juarez, Mexico.
Austin immigration attorney Barbara Hines said his case was particularly
challenging and complicated because of strict immigration laws governing the
cases of non-citizens with criminal records. She commented that
"this
positive result could not have been achieved without a concerted group
effort from a large number of people whose lives have been touched by Jesus
over the last six years. The INS only rarely grants the type of pardon
that
allowed Jesus to apply for his green card, and their decision speaks to
their recognition of Jesus' rehabilitation, accomplishments, and
determination."
Jesus is training in Tijuana, Mexico for his upcoming fight in Austin, Texas on February 23.
2/1/01 update:
Last year, Jesus was allowed into the U.S. twice by the I.N.S. on "compassionate paroles" to visit his mother, who has been in poor health. He was also able to attend his second pardon hearing in Chicago, and to testify on his own behalf. Other witnesses included Jan Reid (author of upcoming book "The Bullet Meant for Me"), Marcy Garriott (director of "Split Decision,") and Barbara Hines (Austin immigration attorney). Jesus' attorney Marc Kadish presented over 500 petition signatures supporting the pardon request, many from Austin supporters and students from Chicago's Daley College. The pardon board's recommendation is confidential, and the governor has not yet made a ruling.
In the meantime, Jesus has received several favorable rulings from the I.N.S. They have granted him a waiver that allows him to apply for temporary visas to enter the U.S., and that also allows him to apply for a green card so that he can return to his family and friends permanently. Jesus is now training part-time in Austin, Texas.
His first fight back in the U.S. was January 14 in Houston, Texas (opponent Benito Rodriguez). Jesus won on a TKO in the sixth round.
His next fight is scheduled in Austin, Texas on February 23, with opponent Tom "Boom Boom" Johnson, at the Frank Erwin Center.
Jesus' record is now 34-1-0. His goal is still to fight for the WBC world championship, currently held by Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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students signing petitions in Chicago
Links to other sites...
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More on Jesus's career... |
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What are the issues associated with the 1996 immigration laws and how can you help? - ACLU views on U.S. immigration policy... |