FIGHT NIGHT Local star Jesus Chavez draws thousands to Erwin Center

Local star Jesus Chavez draws thousands to Erwin Center

By Darren Dummit

Published: Friday, August 6, 2004

Updated: Friday, January 9, 2009


	Andrew Loehman/Daily Texan Staff Jesus "El Matador" Chavez delivers a blow to Tom "Boom Boom" Johnson during the second round of their match at the Frank Erwin Center Friday night. The Chavez-Johnson match was the main event of the seven-bout evening.

Daily Texan Staff

A raucous crowd of more than 6,500 flocked to the Erwin Center Friday to cheer the return of local phenom Jesus "El Matador" Chavez as he dominated former world champion Tom "Boom Boom" Johnson in the main event of a star-studded fight card presented by Top Rank Boxing.

After seven rounds of repeated blows to the body and one knockdown, it was apparent to everyone in attendance that the only "booms" in the Erwin Center were resulting from Chavez's gloves hitting Johnson's midsection. Johnson's corner wisely threw in the towel after the seventh round.

"Tom Johnson is a warrior, he took my best shots," the victorious Chavez said.

Ray Roberts, Johnson's experienced and knowledgeable trainer, demonstrated admirable judgment and propriety rarely seen in boxing today by sparing his aging and beaten fighter further unnecessary punishment. Even though Johnson contested to his trainer that he could go on, the look on his face when the towel was thrown in indicated more relief than disappointment.


	The significance of Friday's fight The Erwin Center was home to its first ever boxing event on Friday. The fight was Jesus "El Matador" Chavez's first Austin match since being deported in 1997. His victory over former world Featherweight champion Tom "Boom Boom" Jones may put him in line for a match-up for the Junior lightweight title against current champion Floyd Mayweather.

It was clear by the fourth round that Chavez's merciless body shots had weakened Johnson's 36-year-old legs, and all efforts by Johnson to take the offensive in the fight had become futile.

Chavez used the inspiration of an excited crowd of his peers and supporters to improve his record to 34-1, with 23 KOs.

"I was very anxious to get out there and hear that noise," Chavez said. "I fed off of the crowd's energy."

That energy, however, almost made Chavez deviate from his fight plan.

"We wanted to start off with a slower pace, but the crowd kind of took me out of that," Chavez said. "I wanted to finish Johnson early, but my corner man told me to take my time and box a little more."

The return of the 28-year-old fan favorite figured to be a lightning rod for political controversy. Chavez, who was deported in 1997, was pardoned a few months ago.

RTF sophomore Ryan Wooten said he was biased against Chavez going in to the fight because he had heard of his criminal background, but was surprised to find that many of the pre-fight biases were checked at the door.

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