32 years ago
Julio Cesar Chavez vs Frankie Mitchell
Date: 1st August 1992
Venue: Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Title: WBC World Super-lightweight Title
Promoter: Don King Productions
Tv: Showtime Championship Boxing
Julio Cesar Chavez
(
80
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 140 lbs
Frankie Mitchell
(
29
-
1
-
0
)
Weight: 137½ lbs
On the evening of April 10th, 1992, at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, undefeated Mexican, Julio Cesar Chavez, holding an impressive record of 80 wins with zero losses, defended his WBC World Super-lightweight title for the eighth time against Frankie Mitchell, hailing from Philadelphia, who came into the fight with a single career loss, a twelve-round decision against Brian Mitchell for the WBA super featherweight title in 1990. Chavez, the pride of Culiacan, Mexico, weighed in at 140 lbs and Mitchell at 137½ lbs.
The bout started with a tactical first round. Mitchell exhibited mobility, testing Chavez with light punches without any substantial hits. Chavez retaliated with a right cross that struck Mitchell. Despite Mitchell's attempt to employ a southpaw stance, he ended the round with a left hook from Chavez that knocked out his mouthpiece. Yet, showing remarkable resilience, Mitchell managed to land a combination to Chavez's head.
The second round saw both fighters escalating their offense. Chavez initiated the action with a powerful hook to Mitchell's body, but Mitchell retaliated with a flurry to Chavez's head. While chants for "Chavez" echoed around the arena, it was Mitchell who exhibited a more energetic performance. Despite some reddening on Chavez's face from Mitchell's combinations, Chavez's defenses held strong. Mitchell received a warning for a low blow but continued his aggressive tactics, throwing numerous combinations. In return, Chavez responded with impactful punches.
In round three, both fighters aggressively traded blows from the start. Mitchell replied to a headshot from Chavez with a combination of his own. Both pugilists focused primarily on the inside. After repeated clinching and a brief respite from Chavez's powerful punches, Mitchell once again switched to a southpaw stance. However, Chavez's formidable cross sent Mitchell staggering backwards. Chavez proceeded to corner Mitchell, unleashing a barrage of powerful shots, but Mitchell persisted, standing firm until the end of the round.
Round four began with Mitchell moving rapidly and throwing hard, fast punches in an attempt to thwart Chavez's onslaught. His efforts were in vain, however, as Chavez landed a devastating right cross that sent Mitchell reeling backwards into the ropes and eventually to his knees. Mitchell managed to regain his footing at the count of nine, but referee Mills Lane determined that he had absorbed too much punishment. Consequently, 56 seconds into round four, the match was stopped, resulting in a technical knockout victory for Julio Cesar Chavez.