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Jesus Chavez – All Apologies
TUE February 6, BUSTER PARIS - “My apologies to the world” – Jesus Chavez
5 little words with such great meaning and impact that they could only be spoken by a man of the same immense quality and depth of character. Jesus Chavez is such a man.
5 little words whose spirit of intention are so rare in life let alone in boxing that you can’t help but nod in agreement and acceptance.
Jesus Chavez has our forgiveness for tonight (2.03.2007), but we all know he has to still be seeking forgiveness for September 17th, 2005 – the night he won the IBF Lightweight Title and Crown from then Champion Leavander Johnson via an 11th round TKO where soon after Johnson slipped into a coma and a rough 5 days later – died of a brain injury.
“My apologies to the world”
February 3rd 2007 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL Jesus "El Matador" Chavez (W 43 - 30 ko's & L 4) and Julio "The Kid" Diaz (W 34 - 25 ko's & L 3) met up for that very same IBF Lightweight Title.
It’s been 17 months since Jesus has been in the ring due to a host of new and pre-existing problems – the most notable old injury is that torn ACL in his left knee and more recently his shoulder being operated on, his appendix being taken out, and one can only imagine the weight and specter of the Leavander Johnson tragedy taking heavy residence on those damaged shoulders.
The fight went 3 rounds. Chavez looked very rusty for the first 2 rounds and as the 3rd round began - Diaz, who had been the aggressor, was coming right after him again. Jesus began to settle into a stance that was awkwardly set too wide and his right foot was uneasily turned in and angled too much.
At 22 seconds into the 3rd Chavez’s right knee gave birth to a pain that dropped Jesus were he stood - and that was all she wrote.
Chavez loses the title that he struggled so greatly for - and that he paid such a phenomenally enormous price for. One that he’s still making payments on - and Diaz is the new Champ.
For Julio Diaz – we can’t really tell anything about him from this performance. Unfortunately for him the way this bout went was all about Chavez’s ring rust and injury and not about anything to do with Julio Diaz.
For Jesus Chavez - Showtime’s Karen Bryant got over to Jesus’ corner where he sat on his stool and appeared heavyhearted and weighed down by something else other than this loss.
He began to explain what his strategy was and what his thoughts were on his and Julio’s performance and then began to explain what happened with his leg:
“…it was a little weird because it [his leg/knee] just sort of gave out…”
There was a moment of levity and chuckles when it was revealed that this was his good leg that gave out.
As Chavez continued to speak you could see the brewing of emotions and the gathering of the shadow of a painful memory:
“…I didn’t want to give up the title. My apologies to the world…because [chocking up and eyes welling] I try with my entire heart to do well and unfortunately it didn’t happen and I’m sorry for chocking up, but it’s my own fault I put myself in this situation. I love boxing – I love boxing. Now I guess I gotta go back and heal and see what the doctors say about this current injury now, well – my apologies to the world.”
Forgive the speculation and the pop-psychology here and peppered throughout this article, but Chavez needs to finally forgive himself – we’ve forgiven him, and to be honest, most of us were never mad at him to begin with – the death of Leavander Johnson was 100% unintentional and a sad, sad occasional part of our beloved sport. It’s incredibly brave, kind and immensely meaningful that Leavander’s family has forgiven Jesus – telling him that his continuing and going on honors the memory of their fallen and dearly loved Leavander.
It’s up to Jesus Chavez now to forgive himself and frankly that’s a fight he’s been toe to toe in since September 17th 2005. It’s up to him how many rounds are left and one can only hope he’s getting good advice from ‘his corner’ – and from the sounds of it, the Johnson family are supportively and bigheartedly there with an end swell for his soul --- and you know too, so is Leavander.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions.
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