Aiden
02-03-2007, 12:36 AM
http://www.mmanews.com/boxing/Jesus-Chavez-Makes-Ring-Return-16-Months-After-Tragedy.html
February 1, 2007
KISSIMMEE, United States (AFP) - Mexico's Jesus Chavez, whose most recent opponent died after receiving serious brain injuries in their fight, makes his return to the ring here Saturday after a 16-month layoff.
Chavez, 42-3 with 30 knockouts, defends the International Boxing Federation lightweight crown he took from the late Leavander Johnson against American Julio Diaz, 33-3 with 24 knockouts.
"I'm pretty psyched to get back in the ring. It has been a long journey for me mentally and physically, but I think I have done a pretty good job of recovery on both those issues," Chavez said.
"I'm ready to fight. I've had a phemonenal training camp. I'm as ready as I can be."
Chavez has not fought since the September 2005 bout that ended in tragedy. Johnson died of serious brain injuries five days after being stopped in the 11th round by Chavez.
"I've been blessed with the Leavander Johnson family. They have been very supportive of me and my continuation of my boxing career," Chavez said.
"I've managed to conduct myself well and don't know about it taking a toll or is it going to hinder me in any way in the fight.
"But then again, I will not know until I'm in a fight again."
Chavez spent a month in therapy sessions but said the biggest thing to help him recover from the tragedy was attending Johnson's funeral and receiving the support of the late fighter's family.
"I felt a warm embrace. There were no hard feelings for what happened," said Chavez. "I think that was probably the biggest breakthrough that I've had."
Chavez quit treatments after four sessions.
"I did get a bit of professional help briefly. I was not in there too long. I didn't think it was helping me much," he said.
"I think I'm a lot stronger mentally to sustain the therapy that I was working on. So I opted to stop getting that kind of help.
"The biggest challenge is going through the situation. My biggest encouragement was my family and friends and the Leavander Johnson family helped me through. There's no other better way to go through that."
After Johnson's death, Chavez vowed to donate a portion of each purse he makes while champion to a fund set up for Johnson's four children.
"The best way I can do justice to the title Leavander and I both proudly held is to defend it well and to be a true champion in and out of the ring, like he was," Chavez said.
February 1, 2007
KISSIMMEE, United States (AFP) - Mexico's Jesus Chavez, whose most recent opponent died after receiving serious brain injuries in their fight, makes his return to the ring here Saturday after a 16-month layoff.
Chavez, 42-3 with 30 knockouts, defends the International Boxing Federation lightweight crown he took from the late Leavander Johnson against American Julio Diaz, 33-3 with 24 knockouts.
"I'm pretty psyched to get back in the ring. It has been a long journey for me mentally and physically, but I think I have done a pretty good job of recovery on both those issues," Chavez said.
"I'm ready to fight. I've had a phemonenal training camp. I'm as ready as I can be."
Chavez has not fought since the September 2005 bout that ended in tragedy. Johnson died of serious brain injuries five days after being stopped in the 11th round by Chavez.
"I've been blessed with the Leavander Johnson family. They have been very supportive of me and my continuation of my boxing career," Chavez said.
"I've managed to conduct myself well and don't know about it taking a toll or is it going to hinder me in any way in the fight.
"But then again, I will not know until I'm in a fight again."
Chavez spent a month in therapy sessions but said the biggest thing to help him recover from the tragedy was attending Johnson's funeral and receiving the support of the late fighter's family.
"I felt a warm embrace. There were no hard feelings for what happened," said Chavez. "I think that was probably the biggest breakthrough that I've had."
Chavez quit treatments after four sessions.
"I did get a bit of professional help briefly. I was not in there too long. I didn't think it was helping me much," he said.
"I think I'm a lot stronger mentally to sustain the therapy that I was working on. So I opted to stop getting that kind of help.
"The biggest challenge is going through the situation. My biggest encouragement was my family and friends and the Leavander Johnson family helped me through. There's no other better way to go through that."
After Johnson's death, Chavez vowed to donate a portion of each purse he makes while champion to a fund set up for Johnson's four children.
"The best way I can do justice to the title Leavander and I both proudly held is to defend it well and to be a true champion in and out of the ring, like he was," Chavez said.