Legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. to greet boxing fans in Indio

A professional boxer for 25 years, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. won six world championships in three different weight classes before retiring in 2005 as perhaps the greatest Mexican pugilist of all-time. 

He's since become a hugely popular ringside commentator, and will be in Indio on Thursday as the special VIP guest for the Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN fight card at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

The main event will feature 2017 consensus prospect of the year Ryan Garcia (13-0, 12 knockouts) of Victorville, Calif., who will put his Junior North American Boxing Federation super featherweight title on the line and fight for the vacant North American Boxing Association's USA super featherweight title against Fernando Vargas (32-15-3, 24 KOs). 

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Doors to the Special Events Center will open at 4:15 p.m. and the first fight begins at 4:30 p.m. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 6 p.m., and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 4:30 p.m. 

Chavez, Sr. will be in attendance for this event to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center before the ESPN telecast begins. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

During his legendary career, Chavez Sr. set records for the most total successful defenses of world titles (27), most title fight victories (31) and most title fights (37). The Hall of Famer also has the second most title defenses won by knockout, and holds the longest undefeated streak in boxing history at 13 years.

Tickets for the event start at $25 and are available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.