Before Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. steps into the ring against WBC middleweight champion Sebastian Zbik (30-0, 10 KOs) in May, “JC Jr.” will fight David “Strictly Business” Medina (22-2, 10 KOs) on March 19, according to an announcement on Chavez’s webpage.

The bout, which is scheduled to occur in Mexico, is perceived as another tune-up for Chavez. However, Medina’s promoter Zef Ramirez feels his fighter is more than ready.

“David has fought on several PPV cards, and he has been eager for the opportunity to fight a top ranked guy for several years now,” Ramirez said. “I know that if he were to fight Chavez the world would see the best David Medina, and I know that if the best David Medina shows up then Chavez goes home the loser.”

Medina, who is on an eight fight win streak, issued a challenge – through his promoter – to Chavez Jr. on December 15, following a gritty split decision win over Anthony Shuler in El Paso, Texas.

“We would issue an open challenge to anyone ranked in the top ten, but we defiantly want to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.,” Ramirez said. “No disrespect to Chavez, but David has got all the tools to defeat him and we would absolutely jump at the opportunity.”

In a professional career spanning over eight years, Chavez Jr. (42-0-1, 30 KOs) put on his most impressive performance, last June, in a bout against John Duddy in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Most recently, Chavez Jr. defeated Billy Lyell by unanimous decision for the WBC Silver middleweight title.

— Alex Neely

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