MESA Ariz. Six-time world boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez is set to open a boxing-themed restaurant and entertainment venue in this Phoenix suburb on Nov. 10.
Called Julio Cesar Chavez Campeones – Spanish for "champions – the restaurant will feature Mexican food, a sports bar, arcade games and a World Boxing Council Legends of Boxing Museum. Campeones will also feature an events center that can accommodate as many as 1,700 people for concerts, boxing matches and birthday parties.
Other principals in the $4.5 million venture are Chavez’ agent, Brian Weymouth, as well as Dan Wergin and Brian Day O’Connor. Weymouth helped rock star Alice Copper with the opening of AliceCooper’stown in downtown Phoenix.
The restaurant's backers said they expect first-year revenues of between $7 million and $10 million.
Chavez is widely known in Mexico and is ranked by ESPN as one of the 50 greatest boxers. He retired from professional boxing in 2005. His two sons, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Omar Chavez, also are boxers.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].