By Robert Coster
Photo: Team Oliveira
Negotiations are well advanced for a showdown between jr middleweight prospects Michael “the Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira and Omar Chavez, the youngest son of the great Julio Cesar Chavez, informs Carlos Oliveira, father and manager of Michael. The fight between WBC #15 Oliveira (19-1, 14 KOs) and Chavez (28-2, 21 KOs) might take place early next year and is of crossroad importance for the career of both young men who suffered temporary setbacks in 2012. Oliveira was stopped by Acelino Freitas early in the year but rebounded with two consecutive victories while Chavez twice lost by decision to arch-nemesis Jorge Paez Jr.
Doubtlessly, a victory for either Oliveira or Chavez will decide who goes forward towards title contender status.
The clash between both youngsters should be intriguing: they are both 22 years-old and are very similar in build, height (5’8 for Chavez, 5’9 for Oliveira) and styles (going forward).
Michel Oliveira declared, “I am excited at the prospect of battling Omar. We both need this fight at this point in our career and it should be a dandy. Brazilians and Mexicans are Latin brothers outside the ring but once I get in the ring with Omar, it will only be war because we are both warriors.”
It has yet to be decided whether the fight will be in Brazil or Mexico.
