STORY OF PHILIPPINE BOXING PART XXVI: ERIC CHAVEZ, IBF WORLD MINIMUMWEIGHT CHAMPION
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 Apr 2020
Algerico Eric Chavez alias Kenta Sato was born on April 9, 1965 in Talisay City, Cebu. He started his pro career in 1985 and won three straight fights against Jun Gavero by split decision, Luis Pelamor by 3rd round TKO, and Danilo Staton by unanimous decision.
He drew with Baldoza Duran twice, by split decision in their first fight, and by technical draw in their second fight.
Chavez then went on a series of stoppages over different opponents, namely Edgar Capino Jr. by 3rd round TKO, Darrell Tuazon by 5th round TKO, Joel Revilla by 4th round TKO, Danny Duran by 7th round TKO, Ric Santiago by 7th round TKO, Jun Altarejos by 4th round TKO, Robert Palarit by 6th round TKO, Edwin Inocencio by 2nd round KO, Domy Ursua Jr. by 1st round TKO, Romy Austria by 3rd round KO, Elson Duran by 5th round TKO, and John Medina by 5th round TKO.
He also scored unanimous decision wins over Bernie Bernardo, Gil Lucaban, Romy Austria (twice), Arsenio Perez, and Mario Aliguin.
He travelled to Jakarta Indonesia and conquered local hero Udin Baharudin by 5th round KO, and flew to Nagoya, Japan to beat Mikio Uchida by 6th round KO.
Chavez became world champion when he stopped Nico Thomas in his home turf in Jakarta, Indonesia by 5th round knockout. Thomas was leading in two of the three judges' scorecards when the knockout came for Chavez to win the International Boxing Federation world minimumweight title in September 21, 1989.
He lost his global title belt in his first defense to Thongchai Utaida alias Fahlan Lukmingkwan in Bangkok, Thailand on February 22, 1990. In the 7th round, the fight was stopped because of cuts suffered by Chavez as recommended by the ring physician. He was leading on two of the three judges' scorecards when the fight was waived.
Chavez won a non-title bout by 3rd round TKO over Thaveelert Torboonlert of Thailand on May 18, 1989 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
In a rematch with Thongchai Utaida for the IBF world minimumweight title on August 15, 1990, Chavez lost by unanimous decision.
He annihilated Ghanaian Michael Ebo Danquah in the very first round by knockout in San Juan City on December 1, 1990.
Chavez was defeated by future IBF minimumweight champion Manny Melchor twice by majority decision in the first encounter then by unanimous decision in the rematch.
In March 2, 1991, he faced world title campaigner Andy Tabanas whom he knocked down in the 5th round. Tabanas was also deducted a point in the same round due to an accidental headbutt that opened a cut above Chavez's right eye. But Chavez was likewise deducted a point in the 6th round because of an accidental headbutt that cut Tabanas' right cheek. Tabanas won by unanimous decision.
Chavez then won over Arnel Barotillo by majority decision, Fred Tepait by 6th round technical decision, Arnold Fernandez by 1st round TKO, Thailand's Takorlek Dejarat by 2nd round TKO, Jerry Pahayahay by 10th round unanimous decision, and Thai fighrers Aswin Sithlakmuang, Noknoi Sorthanikul, and Ritichai Kiatprapas all by KO.
He won the Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) minimumweight title by defeating Kwanjai 3K Battery via 1st TKO on December 2, 1995 in Sa Kaeo, Thailand.
He was edged by Nicaraguan Rosendo Alvarez by majority decision in another attempt at the world title for the WBA minimumweight championship in Miyagi, Japan on June 15, 1996.
Chavez lost four of his last seven bouts so he hanged up his gloves for good in 1998. He has 60 total bouts, 40 wins, 25 by KO, 16 defeats 2 KO losses, and 4 draws per Boxrec.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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