Jesús Gabriel Sandoval Chávez (/ˈævɛz/; born November 12, 1972) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1994 to 2010. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC super featherweight title from 2003 to 2004, and the IBF lightweight title from 2005 to 2007.

Jesús Chávez
Born
Jesús Gabriel Sandoval Chávez

(1972-11-12) November 12, 1972 (age 52)
Other namesEl Matador ("The Matador")
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Reach65 in (165 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights52
Wins44
Wins by KO30
Losses8

Early life

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Chávez was born in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico, and raised in Chicago, Illinois.[1] He became a legal U.S. resident as a child, but at age 16 he was convicted of being an accessory to armed robbery, spent four years in prison, and was subsequently deported back to Mexico. Nevertheless, he struggled to regain American citizenship and work his way up in boxing ranks.

Professional career

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Chávez's first title opportunity came against WBC Super Featherweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. where he retired in the 9th round after an entertaining bout. He rebounded to win Mayweather's vacated WBC title on a fight for the title against 43-1 world champion Sirimongkol Eaimthuam by a twelve round unanimous decision at the Austin Convention Center in his hometown Austin, Texas on August 15, 2003, but lost it on his first defense, to the then two-time champion Erik Morales. In another exciting fight, Chávez rocked Morales early in the first round. Morales recovered and knocked Chávez down twice in the 2nd round, but Chávez came back and fought hard for the rest of the fight, despite having a torn rotator cuff and torn ACL. Morales won a close decision, but Chávez gained further respect for his effort.[2] In his next fight, he took on former IBF Champion Carlos Hernández, who in turn had also lost his own title to Morales. In an exciting 12-round war, Chávez pulled out a close decision.

IBF lightweight champion and death of Leavander Johnson

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He then moved up to the Lightweight division to take on IBF champion Leavander Johnson. In an unfortunate bout, Chávez out-hustled Johnson throughout the entire fight, beating him severely for the entire fight until the referee finally stepped in and ended it. Johnson died several days later after he went into a coma. Despite being implicated in the tragedy, Johnson's family encouraged Chávez to keep fighting.

In 2007, Chávez lost his IBF title to Julio Díaz.[3][4][5]

On September 6, 2008, Jesús "El Matador" Chávez, (44-4 with 31 Win by TKO) knocked out visiting Andres Ledesma,of Colombia 42 seconds into the 9th round of their lightweight bout, at the Toyota Center, in Houston, Texas. Chávez, of Austin, also floored Ledesma in the 7th round.[6]

On April 4, 2009, Chávez was defeated by Michael Katsidis via 8th round TKO. He is trained by Richard Lord.

Chávez is the subject of the 2006 non-fiction book by Adam Pitluk titled Standing Eight.[7]

Personal life

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His struggle to attain legal U.S. residence and work his way up the boxing ranks was documented in the film "Split Decision".[8] His life story was also documented in the book "Standing Eight: The Inspiring Story of Jesus El Matador Chavez".[9] In 2004, Chávez married US National Guard intelligence officer Aunisa Stroklund before she was deployed to the war in Iraq.[10] As of 2017 Chávez and Stroklund are divorced and Chávez now resides in Dallas, Texas.[citation needed]

Professional boxing record

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52 fights 44 wins 8 losses
By knockout 30 4
By decision 14 4
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
52 Loss 44–8   Jorge Linares RTD 4 (10), 3:00 Oct 24, 2010   Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
51 Loss 44–7   Humberto Soto UD 10 Dec 19, 2009   Arena ITSON, Ciudad Obregón, Mexico
50 Loss 44–6   David Díaz MD 10 Sep 26, 2009   UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
49 Loss 44–5   Michael Katsidis RTD 8 (10), 0:10 Apr 4, 2009   Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
48 Win 44–4   Andrés Ledesma TKO 9 (10), 0:42 Sep 6, 2008   Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.
47 Win 43–4   Daniel Jiménez UD 10 Apr 4, 2008   Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.
46 Loss 42–4   Julio Díaz KO 3 (12), 0:22 Feb 3, 2007   Silver Spurs Arena, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S. Lost IBF lightweight title
45 Win 42–3   Leavander Johnson TKO 11 (12), 0:38 Sep 17, 2005   MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won IBF lightweight title
44 Win 41–3   Carlos Hernández SD 12 May 28, 2005   Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
43 Loss 40–3   Érik Morales UD 12 Feb 28, 2004   MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBC super featherweight title
42 Win 40–2   Sirimongkol Singwancha UD 12 Aug 15, 2003   Convention Center, Austin, Texas, U.S. Won WBC super featherweight title
41 Win 39–2   Carlos Gerena TKO 6 (12), 2:10 Mar 22, 2003   Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
40 Win 38–2   Johnny Walker TKO 6 (10), 2:03 Nov 15, 2002   Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
39 Win 37–2   Julio Sánchez León TKO 7 (10), 2:34 Jun 28, 2002   Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
38 Win 36–2   Gerardo Zayas KO 3 (10), 2:26 Mar 22, 2002   Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
37 Loss 35–2   Floyd Mayweather Jr. RTD 9 (12), 3:00 Nov 10, 2001   Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. For WBC and lineal super featherweight titles
36 Win 35–1   Juan José Arias UD 12 May 26, 2001   Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title
35 Win 34–1   Tom Johnson TKO 8 (12), 0:10 Feb 23, 2001   Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S. Won vacant NABF super featherweight title
34 Win 33–1   Benito Rodríguez TKO 6 (10), 0:10 Jan 14, 2001   Deandas Tejano Saloon, Houston, Texas, U.S.
33 Win 32–1   Miguel Andrade KO 2 Aug 4, 2000   Ensenada, Mexico
32 Win 31–1   Russell Mosley TKO 2 Jun 23, 2000   Poliforum Zamna, Mérida, Mexico
31 Win 30–1   Darryl Pinckney TKO 4 (12) Mar 3, 2000   Chihuahua, Mexico Retained NABF super featherweight title
30 Win 29–1   Adarryl Johnson TKO 5 (12), 1:12 Nov 15, 1999   La Boom Discoteque, Mexico City, Mexico Retained NABF super featherweight title
29 Win 28–1   Armando Bósquez TKO 4 (12) Aug 27, 1999   Gimnasio Municipal "Jose Neri Santos", Ciudad Juárez, Mexico Won vacant NABF super featherweight title
28 Win 27–1   Bruno Rabanales TKO 4 Jul 31, 1999   Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
27 Win 26–1   Julio Álvarez UD 12 May 22, 1999   Mexico City, Mexico Won vacant NABF super featherweight title
26 Win 25–1   Rudolfo Lunsford TKO 4 (12) Oct 2, 1998   Hala Ludowa, Wrocław, Poland Retained NABF super featherweight title
25 Win 24–1   Eloy Ortega TKO 2 Aug 15, 1998   Mexico City, Mexico
24 Win 23–1   Moisés Rodríguez TKO 3 Apr 18, 1998   Mexico City, Mexico
23 Win 22–1   Troy Dorsey RTD 7 (12), 3:00 Oct 4, 1997   Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title
22 Win 21–1   Wilfredo Negrón TKO 5 (12), 0:10 Aug 19, 1997   Convention Center, Austin, Texas, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title
21 Win 20–1   John Brown UD 12 Jun 10, 1997   Luedecke Arena, Austin, Texas, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title
20 Win 19–1   Louie Espinoza TD 8 (12) May 5, 1997   Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title;
Unanimous TD after Espinoza was cut from an accidental head clash
19 Win 18–1   Louie Leija TKO 6 (12), 2:26 Mar 3, 1997   Austin, Texas, U.S. Won vacant NABF super featherweight title
18 Win 17–1   Miguel Tepanacatl KO 2 (10), 0:45 Nov 8, 1996   Austin, Texas, U.S.
17 Win 16–1   Javier Jáuregui UD 12 Aug 9, 1996   Austin, Texas, U.S. Won vacant NABF featherweight title
16 Win 15–1   Felipe Castillo UD 10 May 17, 1996   Austin, Texas, U.S.
15 Win 14–1   Cedric Mingo UD 12 Mar 31, 1996   Jacob Brown Auditorium, Brownsville, Texas, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas featherweight title
14 Win 13–1   Eldon Sneed TKO 2 (8), 1:38 Feb 22, 1996   Austin, Texas, U.S.
13 Win 12–1   Roberto Ávila PTS 10 Dec 6, 1995   Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
12 Win 11–1   Gilbert Salinas UD 8 Nov 2, 1995   Music Hall, Austin, Texas, U.S.
11 Win 10–1   Lupe Rodríguez KO 6 (10), 1:25 Sep 21, 1995   International Convention Center, Brownsville, Texas, U.S.
10 Win 9–1   Héctor Vicencio TKO 6 (10) Aug 25, 1995   Music Hall, Austin, Texas, U.S.
9 Win 8–1   Arturo Rangel KO 2 Jul 29, 1995   Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
8 Win 7–1   Manuel Mendez RTD 2 (6), 3:00 Jul 13, 1995   International Convention Center, Brownsville, Texas, U.S.
7 Win 6–1   Emanuel Augustus TKO 7 Jun 20, 1995   Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
6 Win 5–1   Tony Duran TKO 3 May 3, 1995   Dallas, Texas, U.S.
5 Loss 4–1   Carlos Gerena SD 8 Jan 7, 1995   Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
4 Win 4–0   César Armando Martínez TKO 4 (8) Oct 15, 1994   West Martin Field, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
3 Win 3–0   Jamie Cooper TKO 4 Oct 13, 1994   Expo Hall, Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
2 Win 2–0   Rudy Hernandez UD 4 Aug 19, 1994   Municipal Stadium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
1 Win 1–0   Lewis Wood UD 4 Aug 5, 1994   Houston, Texas, U.S. Professional debut

References

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  1. ^ Belinda Acosta (February 9, 2011). "The Inspiration of Jesus Chavez". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  2. ^ http://www.ringsideboxingshow.com/PUGILISTICPARADISEJesusChavezErikMorales.html
  3. ^ Wayne 'Pocket Rocket' McCullough (September 20, 2005). "No matter the precautions, boxing's risks remain". ESPN. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  4. ^ Christine Maynard (September 18, 2005). "Johnson suffers brain hemorrhage in battle with Chavez for the IBF Lightweight Championship". Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  5. ^ "Leavander Johnson vs. Jesus Chavez". BoxRec. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  6. ^ "Diaz takes IBO lightweight belt via split decision". abs-cbnnews.com. [dead link]
  7. ^ Standing Eight: The Inspiring Story of Jesus “El Matador” Chavez, Who Became Lightweight Champion of the World. Publishers Weekly, [s. l.], v. 253, n. 11, p. 54, 2006. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=20204741&site=eds-live&scope=site . Acesso em: 31 maio. 2023.
  8. ^ "Split Decision". Archived from the original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  9. ^ Juris Jurjevics (July 27, 2006). "Standing Eight: The Inspiring Story of Jesus 'El Matador' Chavez, Who Became Lightweight Champion of the World". San Diego Reader. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  10. ^ Fiona Manning (May 7, 2004). "Jesus Chavez To Wed Soldier On Eve Of Iraqi Deployment". Retrieved August 13, 2017.

Further reading

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Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Eduardo Montes
WBC Continental Americas featherweight champion
March 31, 1996 – August 1996
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Derrick Gainer
Vacant
Title last held by
Robert Garcia
NABF featherweight champion
August 9, 1996 – November 1996
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Jose Luis Noyola
NABF super featherweight champion
March 3, 1997 – January 1999
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Joel Casamayor
Vacant
Title last held by
Joel Casamayor
NABF super featherweight champion
May 22, 1999 – July 1999
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
David Santos
Vacant
Title last held by
David Santos
NABF super featherweight champion
August 27, 1999 – March 2000
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Robbie Peden
Vacant
Title last held by
Justin Juuko
NABF super featherweight champion
February 23, 2001 – November 2001
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Daniel Alicea
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC super featherweight champion
August 15, 2003 – February 28, 2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by IBF lightweight champion
September 17, 2005 – February 3, 2007
Succeeded by