DE LA HOYA TAKES CHAMP'S CROWN : FIGHT LURES THRONGS TO SOUTHLAND SITES.

Byline: Mary Beth Alexander Daily News Staff Writer

It was unbearably hot and crowded in El Palacio Ballroom on Friday night, but Richard Guevara of Pacoima would have been nowhere else.

It was the fight of the century, and Guevara wasn't going to miss it. Neither were about 900 other boxing fans, who packed the San Fernando Road meeting hall to watch the title fight between Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya on a closed-circuit telecast.

``We've been waiting for this for so long,'' Guevara said, screaming over the roar of the crowd. ``I paid $42 for this, and it was worth it.''

Boxing aficianados were forced from their easy chairs and living room couches to catch the much-hyped battle for the World Boxing Council Super Lightweight Championship because it was not available on pay-per-view.

De La Hoya opened a cut over Chavez's left eye in the first round then beat him bloody before referee Joe Cortez stepped in to stop the fight in the fourth round.

The matchup, which earned the fighters some $9 million, drew a sellout crowd to Caesars Palace and attracted hundreds of thousands more to closed-circuit telecasts at arenas, racetracks and bars around the country.

The fight was broadcast in only a handful of San Fernando Valley-area venues, and several dozen Los Angeles auditoriums and stadiums. Most were sold out, including the 6,251-seat Universal Amphitheatre.

The throngs were so heavy at some broadcast locations, officials said, that extra viewing areas were set up to handle the overflow.

At El Palacio, fans began arriving about 5 p.m. for the scheduled 8:15 p.m. fight. The fight didn't start till after 9 p.m.

But by 7 p.m., the auditorium was packed, and about 20 late-coming ticket holders were forced to wait outside because they were told there was no room. The group eventually was let in with the permission of Los Angeles Fire Department marshals, who arrived early to monitor the event.

El Palacio owner Bob Martinez said tickets went on sale last week and were sold out well before Friday's fight. The event at the ballroom, which has a capacity of about 950, may have been oversold, he said.

``It happens, but it's an honest mistake,'' Martinez said.

For many, the De la Hoya-Chavez fight would be a test of loyalty.

Would fans stick with Chavez, the gritty 33-year-old who over the past 16 years has fought 99 matches in the name of his native Mexico and who lost only once?

Or, would they set their sights on the up-and-comer, De La Hoya, the charismatic 23-year-old from East Los Angeles who boxing experts said could step closer to greatness with the title victory?

Before the fight started, the rowdy El Palacio crowd left little doubt about their favorite boxer.

``Chavez! Chavez! Chavez!'' the audience chanted, as it waited for the fight to start.

``He's a great champion,'' said Guevara. ``I think he's going to retire after this, and he's going to go out in glory.''

``I think Chavez is the best in the world,'' said Moses Castro, 40, of Sun Valley.

In spite of the raucous chants for Chavez and collective boos when De La Hoya flashed on the screen, not all were caught up in Chavez-mania.

Lolo Alvarez, 33, of Van Nuys reluctantly acknowledged that among his group of friends, he was the only De La Hoya backer.

``He's the man,'' Alvarez predicted before the fight. ``He's the champ-to-be.''

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3 Photos

PHOTO (color) Oscar De La Hoya celebrates Friday afterbeating Julio Cesar Chavez for the WBC Super Lightweight Championship.

Associated Press

(2--color) Boxing fans were turned away Friday night from El Palacio in Sylmar as Valley bars were swamped with spectators.

(3) Chavez supporters packed El Palacio Ballroom in Sylmar to cheer on the 33-year-old's 100th fight.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News