A little-known fact is that boxing could have enjoyed a fantastic fight between two warriors, Julio Cesar Chavez and ‘Irish’ Micky Ward.
In 1996, the pair were locked into a ten-round fight co-featured by the James Toney vs Montell Griffin rematch. Ward stood to earn a career-high six-figure payday until Chavez was forced out of the event with only days remaining until the HBO battle.
Press credentials had already been handed out before the fight, which robbed fans of a superb fight. Organizers would never put the event together despite the demand.
Toney vs Griffin II went on to headline the Lawlor Events Center in Reno as Manny Castillo was drafted in to save Ward’s spot on the card. Griffin defeated Toney via unanimous decision to move to 26-0. Meanwhile, Toney dropped a third loss against 53 wins and two draws.
Ward beat Castillo via split decision in what was much closer than predicted on paper. Judge Bill Graham carded in favor of Castillo 94-95, while Art Lurie and Herb Santos both saw it 96-93 to Ward. The Lowell native was still five and a half years away from his first and defining fight of a trilogy with the late, great Arturo Gatti.
A young man named Steve Forbes debuted on the bill as ‘Butterbean’ Eric Esch scored yet another first-round knockout against Sean Jegen. Esch improved to 25-1 with the triumph.
Chavez recovered from the injury to return three months later at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. The Mexican legend dominated Tony Martin over ten rounds.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
