Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Marcos Reyes: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream, TV Info

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KOs), a former middleweight and super welterweight titleholder, will look to regain his footing in the boxing world on Saturday, July 18 when he squares off against Marcos "Dorado" Reyes (33-2, 24 KOs) for a scheduled 10-round bout at the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas.

Both men are in their athletic primes, and yet both come into the match looking to put distance between themselves and recent losses.

Chavez Jr. lost his WBC world middleweight title to Sergio Martinez in September 2012, beat the lightly regarded Brian Vera twice but then took another loss in April of this year by ninth-round retirement against Andrzej Fonfara. It was quite a surprise and a humbling loss for Chavez Jr., wrote The Guardian's Mike Coppinger after that bout:

"Chavez had some moments, but was never really in the fight (he won a total of two rounds combined on the official scorecards), and the disparity in punch output was startling. Fonfara threw 821 punches to Chavez’s 328 and connected on double the power shots."

Reyes has lost just twice in his career, the last one coming via mixed decision to Abraham Han in October 2014. He's since beaten David Alonso Lopez by unanimous decision, but is in a tough spot against another top Mexican fighter with a world of experience under his belt. 

The action could become fierce, become desperate in this one. Here's the viewing info for the bout.


Chaves Jr. vs. Reyes Viewing Info

Date: Saturday, July 18

Time (ET): 10 p.m.

Location: Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas

TV: Showtime

Live Stream: Showtime Online


Preview

Like many fighters before him, Chavez Jr. has taken a bold course of action in an attempt to salvage his career: finding a new trainer.

In steps Robert Garcia to the Chavez camp, out goes Joe Goossen, Chavez's trainer for the Fonfara fight, per Damian Calhoun of the Orange County Register. Garcia cited his experience working with Marcos Maidana as an example of how he might be able to help Chavez Jr. regain his former titleholder form. 

"People seem to forget what I did with (Marcos) Maidana, who was on the verge of retiring and come back to become a superstar,” Garcia said, via Calhoun. “These are the challenges that I like and I think Chavez will be a perfect one.”

Chavez Jr. has wasted little time in rebounding from his loss to Fonfara. Saturday's fight against Reyes will come exactly three months after that last bout. By contrast, 13 months passed between the Fonfara bout and his second win over Vera in March 2014.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Snowden keyed in on Chavez Jr.'s unpopular decision to quit from the chair against Fonfara as a major narrative in the buildup to this fight:

"

Life as Julio Cesar Chavez Jr knew it changed in April, nine rounds into his 52nd professional prize fight. That's when a left hook from light heavyweight challenger Andrzej Fonfara dropped him to the mat for the first time in his career. More importantly, that's when he quit on his stool, betraying his trainer, his fans, his famous father and, most importantly, himself.

When champions fall, they are expected to get up and fight to the bitter end. That's the code in boxing, a warrior's mentality that brooks no dissent. No circumstances forgive it. Even the great Roberto Duran, arguably the greatest lightweight in boxing history, is best remembered for a single weak moment, "No Mas" wiping away every shining moment like an eraser across a chalkboard.

"

With a condensed training window and future opportunities on the elite circuit in his weight division hanging in the balance, the importance of this fight for Chavez Jr. cannot be understated. 

"Every fighter needs to prove something," he said, via Bill Knight of the El Paso Times. "I think the people this Saturday night will see a very good fight. Two Mexican warriors."

This is only the second time Reyes is fighting outside of his native Mexico. His only other bout abroad was in Los Angeles against Han, his most recent loss. Reyes, of course, will be hoping for vastly different results against an experienced, wily boxer.

Saturday's bout represents a huge opportunity for Reyes, who, despite his overall sterling record and strong knockout power, hasn't had the chance to face an opponent as illustrious as Chavez Jr. The 27-year-old evoked Chavez Jr.'s standing as the son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez in pre-fight braggadocio, per Showtime Sports:

According to Knight, this fight will be at 168 pounds. This represents a step up for Reyes, who has fought mostly at or around the 160-pound mark, per BoxRec. Chavez Jr. is shedding weight for this one, as he was challenging Fonfara for the vacant WBC international light heavyweight title at 171.5 lbs, via BoxRec.

Hopefully for Chavez Jr., the lower weight allows him to maintain his speed and quickness in the ring. Reyes does have 24 knockouts in his career, although he has shown vulnerability himself. Lopez scored a second-round knockdown over Reyes in their January clash. 

For Reyes, this bout represents an opportunity to make a name for himself and perhaps work his way toward title fights in the future. If he can attack Chavez Jr. early, perhaps hurt him or draw blood, it could draw his opponent's desperation mode as he looks to stave off another defeat.

Chavez Jr. has spent plenty of time in rarefied air, but he is in danger of losing out on his esteemed position. At 29, he could be relegated to gatekeeper status with a third loss in five fights.