In this fight, Chavez suffered the first knockdown his career. He lost two points for low blows and then lost the fight by one point, though the judge’s scorecards were probably already biased in his favor. This was Chavez’s first career loss.
THE UNDERCARD – IBF Welterweight champ Felix Trinidad successfully defended his title with a decision win over Hector Camacho. WBC Light Middleweight champ Simon Brown retained his title with a majority draw over Troy Waters. Thomas Hearns knocked out Dan Ward in one to gain the vacant NABF cruiserweight title. Donovan “Razor” Ruddock won a decision over Anthony Wade. Christy Martin earned a first-round TKO over Susie Melton. Super flyweight Andy Agosto won a six-round decision over Rodrigo Valenzuela. Giovanni Parisi scored a first-round TKO over Mike Bryan. Meldrick Taylor knocked out Craig Houk in three. Terron Millet knocked out Jorge Valenzuela in one.
THE OPPONENT – Frankie Randall (49-2-1, 39 KOs) of Nashville, Tennessee, began his pro boxing career in 1981. His first major fight came four years later when he met with Edwin Rosario and lost on a close decision. After getting a few more wins under his belt, including a second-round knockout of Sammy Fuentes, Randall got a shot at the vacant USBA lightweight title. Unfortunately, he and his opponent fought to a draw and the title remained vacant. In 1997, Randall tried for the Primo Ramos’ NABF version of the title but was knocked out in two. He wouldn’t have another title shot for over six years, during which time he amassed seventeen more wins, including a decision over Rodolfo Aguilar and a seventh-round knockout of Edwin Rosario to secure his #1 contender spot. After winning Chavez’s title in this match, he lost it in the rematch just a few months later and had a long career before meeting Chavez again in the rubber match in 2004.
ROUND ONE – Randall was using good lateral movement, throwing punches from the outside and moving back where Chavez couldn’t reach him. Both fighters were patient, though, and not wasting any punches. Chavez tried going inside but wasn’t able to get much in.
CORNER – In Chavez’s corner were trainer Cristobal Rosas, assistant trainer J. “Buffalo” Martin, Rodolfo Chavez and Daniel Castro. In Randall’s corner were trainer Aaron Snowell, Dr. Dan Hale, Don Hale and cutman Eddie Aliano.
ROUND TWO – Chavez was landing more this round but was countering with combos. He was right up against Randall, trying to pressure him, but Randall was pressing back some also and continued to throw punches even when Chavez wasn’t. Chavez landed more punches in the last half minute, but it wasn’t enough to win him the round.
ROUND THREE – A slower round. Chavez was less aggressive, so there was less counter-punching from Randall as well.
ROUND FOUR – Chavez stood right in front of Randall, giving him an easy target. Halfway through the round, he got in a good right that hurt Randall a little and followed up with lefts to the body, but Randall clinched. Randall was throwing more punches this round than his opponent, but Chavez was landing the more effective blows.
ROUND FIVE – Randall was alternately moving and clinching to avoid getting hit. Still not wasting punches, he jabbed to keep his distance. Chavez followed him around the ring, landing a few body punches but missing most of the head shots, to which Randall was able to counter. Some of Chavez’s punches were going a little low.
ROUND SIX – Randall was still clinching often but also landing decent combos when not in the clinch. Chavez was mainly getting in some good single shots. After being hit in the body enough times, Randall showed a slight hesitation before he was able to fire back but was still getting in the combinations. Towards the end of the round, the fighters started trading head to head and clinched once more just before the bell.
ROUND SEVEN – At the beginning of the round, Chavez had to return to his corner to have his gloves taped up. There was a lot of close-in trading this round. Randall was responding with multiple punches to Chavez’s harder punches, but all his clinching wasn’t making him look very good. The crowd chanted “Mexico! Mexico!” as the two traded furiously. In the last thirty seconds, Chavez landed a hard low blow and was deducted a point as Randall took a half minute break. He came out trading again but didn’t have to wait too long for the bell.
ROUND EIGHT – Chavez landed some good body punches, but Randall was still responding with punches of his own, with lateral movement and with clinching when necessary. Chavez then missed a big punch and stumbled a little. Randall tried to get in a few punches while Chavez was resituating himself in the corner but let up too soon to hurt Chavez any. As Randall wasn’t pushing the attack, Chavez had the opportunity to rest a few seconds with his arms down. Chavez then landed to Randall’s body again, but Randall got in two good right hands. There was another low blow by Chavez, and then they battled head to head as chants of “USA!” and “Mexico!” could both be heard in the background. In the last thirty seconds, Randall landed a good series of punches. Chavez got in only a few before Randall clinched and the bell.
ROUND NINE – Chavez ran right in, but Randall clinched as soon as he got there. Randall landed a few light shots before the referee called time to fix the tape on Randall’s glove. During that time, Chavez strayed from his neutral corner, but Steele forced him back in, asserting himself. Back in the middle, Chavez landed a few hard blows but was met every time with counters. Randall started fighting from more of a distance, going back to the lateral movement and letting Chavez miss before countering. Chavez wasn’t letting up, though, and got in his shots to the body.
ROUND TEN – Chavez went in looking to fight, but Randall was landing more punches. This turned out to be a slower round, as neither fighter was really aggressive. Chavez landed more low blows and had another point taken off. Randall once again did a lot of clinching, and Chavez got in one good right just before the bell.
ROUND ELEVEN – Randall was moving back, clinching, with only a few light punches as Chavez came at him aggressively. However, in the last minute of the round, Randall saw the opening he was waiting for. He jabbed to set it up, and the right cross which followed landed flush on Chavez’s chin. Chavez’s legs gave way under him, and he fell flat on his back on the canvas. He was back on his feet at five, though, and took the mandatory eight. For the rest of the round Chavez was moving backwards, then clinched just before the bell rang.
ROUND TWELVE – Chavez was hardly giving any offense, and though the crowd was chanting “USA!” Randall wasn’t giving much offense either. He just stuck out the jab as Chavez tried to go to the body. Randall tried to clinch, and when Chavez tried to wrest him off, Randall clinched again harder. Chavez attacked more in the final half minute, but Randall alternately clinched and moved, also getting back a few last punches before the bell. The two points deducted from Chavez for low blows and the knockdown helped to give Randall the split decision and his first title belt.
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue: MGM Grand
Scheduled: 12 Rounds
Title: WBC Junior Welterweight
Referee: Richard Steele
Judge: Abraham Chavarria 114-113
Judge: Angel Luis Guzman 113-114
Judge: Chuck Giampa 111-116
Promoter: Don King
Broadcast: KingVision / Showtime PPV
Ring Announcer: Jimmy Lennon Jr.
Commentator: Ferdie Pacheco
Commentator: Steve Albert
Odds: 17-1 Chavez