Buchanan was a tough SOB and would give Chavez a good fight with his skills, but overall JC was too good and would win a clear decision.
Yes, I think Ken's problem with people like Duran and Chavez was that he was a bit too cerebral and did not have the sort of 1 shot power needed to put manners on them and keep them honest. If Chavez could win a title at 140 and look pretty OK at 147, then 135 is just fine for him.
Chavez was a beast at Lightweight. Left hook to the ribcage, right uppercut, hook upstairs & down off the 'cut, combination upstairs, two more hooks down below...on & on it would go, all night. Had a motor which just wouldn't quit. He was just tremendous to observe. With that said, he was not the talent Duran was at the same weight, & lacked the same nous, inside & out. Buchanan was a terrific fighter --- a smart, snappy jab, good handspeed & the knowledge to maximise punching efficienct, & very dependable legs. They carried him quick, & supported him well. I see it along these lines, at a glance... 1: 10-9 Buchanan 2: 10-9 Buchanan 3: 10-10 Even 4: 10-9 Buchanan 5: 10-9 Chavez 6: 10-9 Chavez 7: 10-9 Buchanan 8: 10-9 Buchanan 9: 10-9 Chavez 10: 10-9 Chavez 11: 10-9 Chavez 12: 10-9 Buchanan 13: 10-8 Chavez 14: Chavez TKO Buchanan Chavez TKO14 Buchanan. Scoring at time of stoppage --- 124-123, Chavez.
Chavez cannot be any more of an improvement on Duran at 135. Offensively, Duran, Lou Ambers and Henry Armstrong are the benchmark at 135. Not in terms of power, per se, but in terms of style and method, which is as crucial to beating Buchanan as power is. Chavez might be good enough to join them, but surpass them? And Duran only won by "KO" against Buchanan by fouling him.
Chavez by decision... the key thing you needed to beat Julio was that you had to be VERY FAST and you had to have the discipline to avoid trading... Trading was Mel Taylor's downfall (but, what people forget is that it was the only way he could fight) ... Buchanan, a tough proud man unable to resist what LOOKS LIKE a hittable opponent who would no doubt hit him, would also trade too much, lacking the power to earn JC's respect... Good fight, lots of action and a good showing by the proud Scot, but Chavez's HEAVY hands and sickeningly accurate punches, IN PARTICULAR his right hand (his MOST IMPORTANT PUNCH BY FAR) would carry the day and the judges Chavez by unanimous decision in a competetive, excellent test of skills and wills
