Just a few months after losing the title to Randall (50-2-1, 39 KOs) in their first fight, Chavez was prepared for the rematch. The fight had to be stopped in the eighth round after an accidental headbutt opened up a cut on Chavez. They went to the scorecards, and Chavez won a split technical decision and regained his title.
THE UNDERCARD – Julian Jackson won the WBC middleweight title from Gerald McClellan with a first-round knockout. WBC Minimumweight champ Ricardo Lopez retained his title with a decision win over Kermin Guardia. WBC light middleweight champ Simon Brown lost his title with an unanimous decision to Terry Norris. WBC super featherweight champ Azumah Nelson also lost his title with an unanimous decision to Jesse James Leija. Lightweight Christy Martin fought to a draw with Laura Serrano. Calvin Grove won a decision over Angel Aldama. Giovanni Parisi knocked out Richie Hess in two. Meldrick Taylor knocked out Chad Broussard in two.
THE OPPONENT – Despite his long career, the WBC light welterweight belt Randall had gained from Chavez just a few months earlier was the first title he held. A rubber match was planned but ended up not happening. In the meantime, though, he would win the WBA version of the title from Juan Martin Coggi (by an unanimous decision) just four months after this match. He would have two successful defenses before losing the title, again to the person he had beat for it. Randall won the title back in the rubber match with Coggi but lost it just three months later to Khalid Rahilou (TKO by 11). He wouldn’t accomplish much after this. The rubber match with Chavez did end up happening but not until ten years after this one–way too late to win the title back. Randall is still active with a record of 59-17-1 (42).
ROUND ONE – The fight started at a fast pace. Ch� was keeping his chin down more than in the last fight, bending over while going in to land hard blows and showing good defense. Randall was moving around the ring some but was a lot more enthusiastic to trade than in the last fight and landed some good combos. Both fighters were warned by referee Mills Lane this round for low blows.
CORNER – In Chavez’s corner were trainer Emanuel Steward (with Gladys Rosas interpreting), assistant trainer Cristobal Rosas, Rodolfo Chavez and Daniel Castro. In Randall’s corner were trainer Aaron Snowell, Dr. Dan Hale, Darren Hale and cutman Eddie Aliano.
ROUND TWO – Early in the round a perfect right almost put Chavez on the canvas for the second time of his career, but he caught himself and went straight back in with wide hooks. Then halfway into the round, Randall landed a hard low blow that stopped the clock to give Chavez a few seconds of rest. Chavez continued with mostly just defense for the rest of the round, bobbing and weaving impressively, but also continued to throw a few punches as Randall came at him.
ROUND THREE – Chavez pressured Randall this round but mostly with his body rather than with his fists. Randall was constantly pressed up against the ropes, where referee Mills Lane cautioned him twice for headbutts. The punching was mostly on the inside, where Chavez was working more than his opponent.
ROUND FOUR – Chavez changed strategies at the beginning of this round, staying on the outside and moving around the ring away from Randall. There was a lot of down time this round as the fighters didn’t trade very much. Chavez again showed excellent defense, bobbing and weaving under Randall’s punches, which helped him to win the round.
ROUND FIVE – Chavez started the round boxing again, but Randall came out more offensive. Chavez was pressed against the ropes but worked off of them without taking any flush punches and then came back late in the round.
ROUND SIX – Randall controlled the beginning of the round doubling and tripling his jab and moving around his opponent, but Chavez was more successful in the second half of the round going in to trade with him.
ROUND SEVEN – Randall threw more combos to control the round. Chavez’s looked a little weaker here. His offense was less successful and included a low blow which evoked a strong warning from the referee.
ROUND EIGHT – Randall was again controlling the round with combos. Chavez was taking a lot of punishment while only getting in a few body shots of his own. He was a little stronger later in the round, but the fight was stopped with just seconds left in the round as a headbutt opened up a bad cut on Chavez. Referee Mills Lane deducted a point from Randall for the headbutt just before they went to the scorecards. That point gave Chavez the split decision victory.
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue: MGM Grand
Scheduled: 12 Rounds
Title: WBC Junior Welterweight
Referee: Mills Lane
Judge: Dalby Shirley 76-75
Judge: Ray Solis 77-74
Judge: Tamotsu Tomihara 75-76
Result: TD8 2:57
Promoter: Don King
Broadcast: KingVision / Showtime PPV
Ring Announcer: Jimmy Lennon Jr.
Commentator: Steve Albert
Commentator: Ferdie Pacheco
Physician: Dr. Flip Homansky