33 years ago

Julio Cesar Chavez vs Greg Haugen

20th February 1993

Fight Information

Date: 20th February 1993
Venue: Estadio Azteca , Mexico City , Mexico
Title: WBC World Super-lightweight Title
Promoter: Don King Productions
Referee: Joe Cortez
TV: KingVision Pay-per-view

Fighters Information

Julio Cesar Chavez

Record: 84-0-0

Weight: 139¼ lbs

Greg Haugen

Record: 32-4-0

Weight: 140 lbs

Fight Summary

On the historic night of Saturday, 20th February 1993, Mexican boxing fans converged on the Estadio Azteca to witness an electrifying WBC World Super-lightweight Title match. The event, staged by Don King Productions and broadcasted on KingVision Pay-per-view, saw Julio Cesar Chavez, boasting an undefeated record of 84-0-0, pitted against the stalwart Greg Haugen, who came in with a respectable record of 32-4-0. Chavez, a native of Culiacan, Mexico, weighed in at 139¼ lbs, while Haugen, hailing from Seattle, Washington, tipped the scale at the limit of 140 lbs.

A remark made by Haugen prior to the fight had added a heated edge to this title defense. In criticizing the quality of Chavez's previous opponents, Haugen famously quipped, "All he's fought are Tijuana taxi drivers." Chavez's reply was stern and succinct, promising, “I will have no compassion. I will meet you in the ring and cut your head off, get ready.”

The intense atmosphere was palpable as a record crowd of 132,247 spectators awaited the opening bell. Right from the outset, Chavez asserted his dominance, knocking Haugen down within the opening seconds of the first round. The rest of the fight proved to be a relentless display of Chavez's skill and power, as he continued to pound on Haugen round after round.

The fifth round was the decider. Haugen, who had bravely withstood the storm until then, was once again knocked down by Mexico's living legend. Despite the valiant effort to rise and continue, Haugen could not resist the onslaught of Chavez's attack.

Referee Joe Cortez made the call at 2:02 into the fifth round, handing Chavez the victory by TKO. It was a clear and undeniable display of the champion's ring mastery, securing his 10th successful title defense.

Gym Rat Fight Assessment

Throughout boxing history, there has always been fierce rivalry between Mexico and the UK. That respect was built on admiration. Brits love the great Mexican warriors. You always know what you're going to get, and hardly ever do they disappoint.

Julio Cesar Chavez never disappointed; his national pride drove him to become one of the greatest Mexicans ever to lace them up. He became a 3-weight division champion and finished with 107 wins, 7 losses and 2 draws, just an incredible fighter.

I remember watching this fight on Tv. It still holds the record for the biggest crowd at a boxing match, over 132,000, and the rest of the bill included: Azumah Nelson vs Gabriel Ruelas, Terry Norris vs Maurice Blocker, Michael Nunn vs Dan Morgan, Gerald McClellan vs Tyrone Moore, and Felix Trinidad vs Pedro Aguirre. Don King regularly put on these mega bills back in the 1980’s and 90’s.

The buildup made the fight. Haugen was a gutsy blue-collar fighter who didn’t care who he was facing and always came to fight. The ‘Tijuana taxi drivers’ slur stirred the pot but ultimately spurred Chavez on to produce a one-sided beating in front of his beloved Mexican faithful.

Expert analysis by the Boxing Only Gym Rat More from Gym Rat