This was the first American network appearance for Chavez, who was announced as 44-0 (38).

THE OPPONENT – Roger Mayweather (21-2-0, 14 KOs) turned pro in 1981 and held the USBA lightweight title and WBA and USBA super featherweight titles for short periods of time. He entered this fight as the WBC number one contender for Chavez’s super featherweight title. As the hometown favorite in Las Vegas, Mayweather received a loud ovation during his introduction. (Chavez, on the other hand, even received a few loud boos.) However, he said that he had had to take off thirteen pounds in the few weeks before the fight.

ROUND ONE – To start, Mayweather worked with the jab, getting it in a few times but mostly blocked. Mayweather continued trying to get punches in while Chavez remained patient and had only gotten in one straight right. Mayweather leaned on Chavez, who then became more aggressive and traded blows but only momentarily. Chavez went back to calmly pursuing Mayweather and just waiting for the right opportunity. Mayweather used his seven inch reach advantage, holding his hand out against Chavez’s shoulder but twice received a “No holding” warning for it from the referee. A very dull round, scored for Mayweather by all the judges.

ROUND TWO – Mayweather once again came out jabbing and only landing on gloves. However, a combination got in a couple of shots on Chavez. Though having some trouble getting inside past Mayweather’s reach advantage, Chavez started throwing some straight punches and got in a good right hand. Mayweather got in a good right of his own, but Chavez matched it and sent Mayweather running. Chavez was faster though and caught him with another right, which sent Mayweather to the canvas and halfway through the ropes, his legs wide apart. Referree Richard Steele ruled it as a slip, though, and Mayweather got right back up. He was hurt, though, and held on to Chavez, who punched him off and then to the canvas once more just seconds later. Mayweather was up at four and took the mandatory eight count. Chavez rushed at him again, pummeling him. When Mayweather wasn’t able to clinch him, he fell to the canvas again, but it wasn’t ruled a knockdown as it wasn’t from a punch. When he couldn’t clinch this time, he ran, though getting in a good right to Chavez’s head while doing so. Chavez was pursuing him with punches, and a combination to the head sent Mayweather to the canvas one final time about half a minute from the end of the round. Although Mayweather wasn’t down for more than a second, referee Richard Steele immediately stopped the bout, giving Chavez the TKO win at 2:30 into the round.

ALSO ON THE CARD – Heavyweight Alfredo Evangelista won a ten-round decision over James Dixon. Super featherweight Dana Roston lost a ten-round decision to Juan Antonio López.

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue: The Riviera
Scheduled: 12 Rounds
Title: WBC Super Featherweight
Referee: Richard Steele
Judge: Dimas Hernandez
Judge: Mike Jacobs
Judge: Sid Nathan

Promoter: Don King
Broadcast: CBS
Promotor: Don King
Timekeeper: Mike LaCella
Counting: Mike Merodino
Physician: Dr. Donald Romeo
Physician: Dr. James A. Kame