24 years ago

Date: 29th July 2000

Title: WBC World Super-lightweight Title

Promoter: America Presents & Millennium Events

Tv: Showtime Championship Boxing

Kostya Tszyu
( 24 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 139½ lbs

Julio Cesar Chavez
( 103 - 4 - 2 )
Weight: 140 lbs

The lights of Veteran's Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix burned bright on July 29, 2000, when Kostya Tszyu and Julio Cesar Chavez faced each other for the WBC World Super-lightweight title. Coming into the match, Chavez boasted an impressive record of 99-2-1, while Tszyu entered with 24-1-0. Both fighters came in at the super-lightweight limit of 140 lbs. This fight, however, would prove to be a testing time for Chavez, with Tszyu dominating the bout and establishing his supremacy.

The fight commenced with Chavez standing firm, but Tszyu quickly gained the upper hand with regular jabs and the occasional powerful right to Chavez's face. Chavez, seemed unable to match Tszyu's precision, eventually finding himself on the back foot against the relentless assault of the Australian boxer.

The fifth round was particularly harsh on Chavez. He slipped and fell early on, and moments later, Tszyu opened a cut on Chavez's forehead with a four-punch combo of jabs followed by a hard right. The sight of blood indicated the course the match was taking; Tszyu was clearly in control.

The crowd's passionate support for Chavez could not tilt the balance in the Mexican champion's favor in the sixth round. Tszyu's right hand sent Chavez tumbling to the canvas. The six-time world champion in four weight classes managed to stagger back to his feet, his spirit still alight.

However, Tszyu's relentless onslaught didn't allow Chavez any respite. With Chavez pinned to the ropes and the Australian pummeling him, referee Robert Ferrara deemed it necessary to intervene and stopped the fight. At 1:28 in the sixth round, Tszyu was declared the winner by a technical knockout.

Post-fight, Tszyu, originally from Russia but a Sydney resident for the past eight years, showed respect for Chavez. He cited the diligent study of Chavez's previous fights as a key factor in his victory. He credited his knockout punch, which dropped Chavez for only the second time in his career, more to timing than power. With this win, Tszyu improved his record to 43-1-0.

The defeat was a clear indication for the veteran Chavez, leading him to acknowledge that it might be time for him to retire. The fight, was considered a mismatch by many to the point that Las Vegas bookmakers would not take bets.