BoxRec

Mexico vs Puerto Rico has been one of the top boxing rivalries among boxing fans. It started in 1978 when the great Wilfredo Gomez of Puerto Rico thrashed Mexican great Carlos Zarate in 5 rounds in Puerto Rico. Then, in 1981, the great Salvador Sanchez of Mexico gave Gomez a thrashing in Las Vegas in 8 rounds. And it has been back and forth until Boricua Felix "Tito" Trinidad beat two American fighters of Mexican heritage: Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas. That's when the rivalry reached it's zenith.

On November 21, 1987, World Lightweight Champion, Edwin "Chapo" Rosario, 24, of Puerto Rico had the harshest beating of his pro career when Julio Cesar Chavez, 25, of Mexico came up in weight and took his WBA World Lightweight crown in 11 lopsided rounds.

Chavez, with an extraordinary record of 54-0, was the former WBC World Jr Lightweight Champion. He made 9 title defenses at 130lbs before taking on Chapo. Among his victims at 130lbs we're former champions Juan LaPorte of Puerto Rico and Rocky Lockridge of McAfee, NJ. Both fights were close wins by decision. And many thought bat the time if Chavez had a rough time with smaller men like LaPorte and Lockridge, how would he fared against a bigger and stronger for like Chapo, and going up in weight? Chapo was not just another champion. He was a future Hall of Fame boxer well recognized already in the boxing world. Meanwhile, Chavez, despite of his undefeated record, and champion already started 130, with 9 title defenses, was not that fully recognized outside of Mexico.

But, if his fight with countryman Mario Martinez made him a world champion 3 years earlier, it was his thrashing of Chapo that made Chavez a superstar in the 1980s. This fight put Chavez on the map. In a decade of great superstar boxers, Chavez was among them with this spectacular win.

Chavez, a slow starter, was faster on this night. He displayed all his talents. It was probably his most complete performance. He improved to 55-0, and didn't lose a fight until 33 bouts later, at the age of 32. On this night, Chavez was J.C. Superstar!

,30 years wow..I remember talking with my dad before hand and saying chavez would win and thought I was mad as Rosario was such a great fighter ,this was chavez's move to the next level becoming a superstar . As you can tell by my username I'm a massive Chavez fan I tried to box like him much to my amateur coaches dismay

Probably Chavez best performance, systematic beatdown of a very good fighter. What a fighter Chavez was in his pomp, loved watching him, classic left hook to the body and tough as nails.

Aye, I remember that fight. That’s when I realized Chavez was something special

This was definitely the great Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chavez greatest performance of his career. He totally dominated Edwin "Chapo" Rosario from start to finish. Rosario's face looked like the real loser. He got his ass kicked. Like a train passed over his face. His face was a mess. But, he had heart, no question about that. Chavez was too much. I guess a class above him.

Chavez' fight with Meldrick Taylor was his greatest win of his career and gutsiest performance. He had to dig deep for that fight. It was the fight that cemented his all time great status. A top 25 all time great Chavez is in my book.

He also had a whole arsenal of punches. And fighting inside, he was one of the all time best. He usually was a slow starter, but as the fight progressed, he was a relentless punching machine: uppercuts, right leads, left hooks to the body and head and one twos. He was really special. The best fighter from Mexico in my book.