Chavez takes on 'Bad News' Brown for two more belts

story & photos by Chris Cozzone

Last week, Holly Holm showed the boxing world what New Mexico females are capable of when she schooled legend Christy Martin, beating her with a near-shutout decision.

This week, it’s Jackie Chavez’s turn.

Like Holm was last week, Chavez will be a big underdog Friday night when she enters the ring in the country of Trinidad against “Bad News” Lisa Brown to fight for, both, the WIBA and less-established WIBC Super Bantamweight World titles.

Brown, 11-1-2 (4 KOs), is a top contender who’s fought tougher opposition than Chavez. (Her sole loss is a majority decision to Sharon Anyos.) But what makes solidifies her as the favorite is, she’ll be fighting in front of a hometown crowd.

“She has quite a few fights and is aggressive,” says Chavez. “I know I’m an underdog here, but I’m looking to get experience behind me now.”

Despite holding one of the top three titles in women’s boxing, IFBA champ Chavez will leave her belt at home when she fights Brown—but what she puts on the line—an undefeated record of 9-0 (3 KOs)—she considers more important.

“Titles don’t matter,” says Chavez. “Records do—but I need to stop worrying about being undefeated. I need to get out there. I need to gain experience.

“Win or lose, I’m tired of worrying . . . tired of split decisions and close fights.”

In her nine pro bouts, Chavez has had three close calls—and two were very debatable, if not controversial.

Last year, she won a six-round split-decision over Mercedes Mercury in Albuquerque—and it was a fight many were convinced Mercury had won.

Chavez went on beat Jayla Ortiz for the vacant IFBA 122-pound belt in Ignacio, Colo., last November in Ignacio, Colo. Then, in her first defense, in June, she went up against Audrey Vela, undefeated at 5-0 at the time.

After ten hard-fought rounds, the judges had it a split decision: 97-93 for Vela and the other two for Chavez, 97-93.

Most present had Vela winning.

“I didn’t take it as a win,” admits Chavez.

“I don’t feel I did my best and I don’t feel, in my heart, that I won that fight.”

Chavez is not ducking a rematch.

“She wants the rematch, I want the rematch. The IFBA wants it, too, so it will probably be my next defense. We tried to work it out this year but local promoters here could not get it going. It will happen, though, early next year, probably.”

For now, Chavez is concentrating on Brown.

“I’ve been working hard and improving, and I’m ready for a tough fight. I know I have to knock her out to win in Trinidad.

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