By Jake Donovan

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is set for his first fight under the Al Haymon advisory banner. The second-generation boxing star and former middleweight titlist returns to the ring following a 13-month hiatus, as he takes on perennial Top 10 light heavyweight contender Andrzej Fonfara.

Their bout headlines live on Showtime from StubHub Center in Carson, California, to be fought at a maximum catchweight of 172 lbs. A $100,000 per pound penalty was at stake, in the event either fighter missed weight; both fighters were professionals, showing up in shape and within the contracted weight limit.

Chavez Jr. (48-1-1, 32KOs) appeared to have his career back on track following a repeat win over Bryan Vera last March. The feat was much cleaner than their first fight more than five months prior, when the wildly popular Mexican first struggled at the scales - to the point of having the fight contract modified to a weight befitting his soft physique - and then in the ring in scoring a controversial decision.

The bout also followed a year-long suspension after having tested positive for marijuana following his title-losing effort to Sergio Martinez in Sept. ’12, his lone loss to date.

Following the second win over Vera, Chavez Jr. was on target to face Gennady Golovkin. The fight was squashed when Chavez Jr. and Top Rank couldn’t agree on the length of the existing promotional contract, leading to a lengthy hiatus and drawn out lawsuit before freeing up and now officially on board with Haymon.

Fonfara (26-3, 15KOs) came up just short in his lone title bid, rising from the canvas to floor Stevenson only to drop a competitive decision in their World light heavyweight clash last May.

The 27-year old Polish slugger has since rebounded with a 10-round points win over Doudou Ngumbu last November in his adopted Chicago home land.

Is Chavez Jr. biting off more than he can chew in this one? Or is the son of a boxing legend finally ready to carve out greatness of his own?

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the action will play out.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. vs. ANDRZEJ FONFARA

Ryan Burton (Chavez UD): I think the fight will be close and somewhat controversial but Chavez will get the nod on the scorecards around 115-113 with one scorecard that seems way out of line.

Jake Donovan (Chavez Dec.): A legitimate challenge in front of Julio, one that apparently nobody on his team wanted for his first fight in more than a year. In the spirit of optimism, will figuratively wager that he’s up for the challenge and guts out a close win, with the final decision disputed no matter the outcome – it just comes with the territory with Chavez.

David Greisman (Fonfara SD): While Chavez has gotten by on being the bigger man walking through

lighter opponents' shots, Fonfara has shown an ability to soak up

punishment from men his own size in order to deliver his own. I'm taking

Fonfara to win a split decision, but I won't be surprised if the judges

find a way to give it to Julio instead.

Steve Kim (Fonfara Dec): I’m going with Fonfara and the upset special( full well knowing that Fonfara may not be able to win a decision) the inactivity of Chavez worries me and Fonfara is the naturally bigger fighter, who is pesky and game.

Peter Lim (Fonfara UD): Chavez is in over his head at 175 pounds and his sloppy training ethic and partying lifestyle will catch up with him in this fight. In Fonfara, Chavez faces a natural, full-fledged light heavyweight who will be unfazed by his bread-and-butter left hooks and return fire with gusto and authority. Chavez might find a measure of success if he uses his jab and counter punches but Fonfara will adjusts and re-imposes his will. Giving Chavez a taste of his own medicine, Fonfara will bully the bully to win a comfortable decision.

John MacDonald (Chavez UD): Fonfara will push Chavez Jr to the limit - maybe further - but regardless of if he deserves it, the son of the legend will likely have his arm raised

Takahiro Onaga (Chavez SD): Controversial decision win for Chavez in a very good fight.

Cliff Rold (Fonfara Dec.): Barring judging chicanery, this is a man more natural to Light Heavyweight who has had to work hard to be good and had nothing handed to him. Chavez, unless he's matured dramatically from where he was in the Vera fights, will get outworked here. He might anyways.

Victor Salazar (Chavez Dec.): On paper this has upset written all over it until Chavez Jr. hooked up with veteran trainer Joe Goossen. Fonfara can crack as we saw when he put down Adonis Stevenson and Chavez Jr’s chin was one of the best at 160, but will it carry up 12 lbs. or so? It’s unknown but I will say it’s in the genes and Chavez Jr. and Fonfara give us one hell of a fight with Chavez Jr. winning on the cards.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Chavez SD): I think Fonfara will have to work hard to reach the catchweight. This favors Chavez Jr who is unknown at this weight. If the fight reaches the 12-round limit, it would not surprise me to hear a controversial decision in Julio’s favor.

Alexey Sukachev (Fonfara UD): All these years having passed by, I'm still not a believer in Junior. He started as a lightweight and grew all way up to LHW. I'm not sure he belongs to this weight class. And Fonfara is no gimme as was proven against Stevenson. He will outbox Chavez for a close win in a good fight.