The wait has been excruciating, hasn’t it? You should ask Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who had a tough time in the last couple of years, battling the toughest fight of his life outside the squared circle. But he is back again before running the risk of fading into obscurity, and welcoming him is an unlikely opponent, Uriah Hall. Many questions are popping up in the fans’ heads. Does the Mexican fighter have what it takes to make a return to the top? Or will it be another disappointing display, stumbling to another low?

The fans will find answers to these as they eagerly wait for the two boxers to put on a show at the Amalie Arena in Tampa. While for Chavez Jr., it’s a shot at redeeming himself, Hall comes into the fight with the sole objective of destruction. After all, the former UFC star has always lived by the sword. So, the fight has every ingredient to make it a spectacle. A former world champion and his hurrah, and opposing his is a fighter who only knows how to put his body on the line. But how do the two fighters stack up before their high-stakes bout?

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr vs. Uriah Hall: Tale of Tape

Chavez Jr. always entered the ring with a burden, to carry on the legacy of the boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez. While he did a decent job, he couldn’t replicate the success of his father or shoot himself into stardom. Despite becoming a world champion at 25, his performances never convinced anyone. However, ‘JC Jr.’ still has an impressive record of 53-6-1 with 34 KOs to show for his hard work. In addition, the fans could debate whether Chavez Jr. has a convincing style of play, but he did embody the fearless and bold Mexican style, and his KO ratio of 64% also suggests the same.

After having a steady career at 160, he shuffled a lot, and his tall stature of 6’0″ (183 cm) allowed him to add muscles to his frame and meet the weight limitations. His reach of 73.0″ (185 cm) also benefited from fitting right in. But Chavez Jr.’s struggle never ceased inside the ring. At 38, many critics would brush him aside to make a strong comeback. But he remains determined, especially against a boxer, who has only 1 fight under his belt.

For many, Hall, at 39, is the underdog, and that too for obvious reasons. The former UFC middleweight fighter only entered the boxing ring once, in Oct. 2022, against Le’Veon Bell, a former NFL running back, which he won after going the distance. That doesn’t sound reassuring, does it? You should tread carefully before brushing him aside, as he had carved out a reputation as a vicious striker during his heydays in the UFC. Although his MMA record stands at 17-11, you should look at the finishes column, where he dismantled all but 3 of his 17 opponents, including Anderson Silva. If you remember, ‘Spider’ was the man who handed Chavez Jr. his last loss.

What’s more? The American fighter has the dimensions to impose his will on his foes, as he shares identical heights with Chavez Jr. but carries a 6-inch reach advantage at 79.5″ (202 cm). He is also used to the vagaries of cruiserweight, unlike the former WBC champion. So, will a reach and weight advantage push the fight in his favor, or does he have to do more to amass a win over Chavez Jr.?

Prediction: X factor and where will the fight be won?

What will separate Hall from Julio Cesar Chavez Jr this Saturday? Undoubtedly, it will be ‘Prime Time’s strong and intimidating presence, who is confident in his skills and his sharp and fast right hand. He will go for the kill from the first bell, and it depends on how Chavez Jr. handles him. What will worry fans is his almost-year-long layoff. On the contrary, Hall’s brimming confidence and his accurate but powerful punches will be his X factor, which can nudge the fight in his favor. One-punch knockouts are always a possibility, and with the famed MMA fighter, the chances are always high.

If you want to talk about ring rust, Chavez Jr. has the uphill battle of dusting off 3-year rust. While he has transformed his body and now boasts a more shredded physique, he hasn’t stepped into the ring to unload punches with ease. You add to the mix the Culiacan native’s failed and missed drug tests and stints in rehab, and the picture gets murky. But he is still a fighter with 60 professional fights under his belt, comes from a family of boxing heritage, and has every weapon in his arsenal to deal with the Spanish Town native. Will he do justice to his experience, or will history repeat itself? The fans will witness it unfold soon.

What do you make of this coming fight between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Uriah Hall? Who do you believe will emerge victorious between the two on July 20? Let us know in the comments below.