June 7^th,  1996

On this day in history, Oscar de la Hoya conquered the WBC super lightweight championship by defeating Mexican idol Julio Cesar Chavez.

With an unbeaten career, his dream opportunity of contesting for the WBC super lightweight title, against the legendary Julio César Chávez, arrived in 1996. “Golden Boy” who was nearing his peak, cut Julio over the left eye and in the fourth round, Referee Joe Cortez determined that Chávez could not continue the fight, which was stopped at two minutes and thirty-seven seconds.

After his first defense, Oscar decided to try his luck and chance his arm in the welterweight division, fighting the sublimely skilled southpaw Pernell Whitaker for the world title.

WBC Press Release