'Disgrace to the sport': Boxing world explodes over 'shameful' moment

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr sparked chaotic scenes in the boxing world on Saturday when he quit on his stool to hand Daniel Jacobs victory by TKO.

Chavez Jr retired at the end of the fifth round in Phoenix, where former two-time middleweight champion Jacobs (36-3) made a successful debut in the super-middleweight division on Friday.

‘CHILLING’: Boxing world left rattled by 'frightening' KO

After receiving some punishment in the fifth round, Chavez Jr – who missed weight – could be heard saying his hand was broken, though the Mexican later claimed he suffered a broken nose.

The premature end to proceedings at Talking Stick Resort Arena prompted ugly scenes as spectators rained boos on Chavez Jr. (51-4-1) and pelted the ring with debris.

Chavez Jr – son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez who had only fought once since losing to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2017, a stoppage of Evert Bravo in August – had to be ushered out of the ring, with fans continuing to throw things at him.

American Jacobs, back in action following his defeat to Canelo in a middleweight unification bout in May, was also targeted by the infuriated crowd.

Jacobs – who initially found it difficult to cope with Chavez Jr's power in the opening round before adjusting to show his quality over the next four – was seen dodging objects during his post-fight interview in the ring.

"To me, it wasn't my debut at super middleweight because this is so disrespectful," said Jacobs while continually flinching amid flying objects.

"To me, he was a cruiserweight. Even his jab was heavy and his body.

"Physically, he was the bigger man in the show. I tried my best to be elusive and box but he was heavy. Slowly but surely I got my counter-punches in there, and he quit on his stool. He didn't let me enjoy my victory. I'm from Brownsville and I never ran and I never will."

Jacobs added: "I did my part. I know [the crowd] is not mad at me, they are mad at Chavez. But I don't get to enjoy this victory. I didn't fight a super middleweight, I fought a cruiserweight."

Boxing world erupts over ‘disgraceful’ scenes

The boxing world was left infuriated by Chavez’s actions, with Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole branding him ‘disgraceful’.

“Promoters continue to use him because he sells tickets, largely because his father was one of the greatest boxers of all-time and arguably the No. 1 sports hero in Mexican history,” Iole wrote.

“But this spoiled and petulant man has none of the blue-collar work ethic that made his father a legend.

“Jacobs had taken over the fight in the fifth and Chavez simply looked for a way out.

“When the fight was stopped, Chavez Sr. covered his face with his hand and dropped his head to his chest in apparent disgust and embarrassment.

“It’s long past time for promoters to continue to kowtow to this fighter, because at the end of the day, he cheats the fans out of their money. They didn’t, and haven’t for a long time when paying to watch Chavez, get what they paid for.

“Promoters who keep putting him on are simply showing disdain for the fans, their paying customers.

“He shares his father’s name, but none of his father’s traits that made him great. Fans should continue to worship Senior and revel in his legendary career, but it’s time to move on from Junior.

“He is what he is and he’s never going to change.”

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