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"Prepare yourself well," Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. told Albuquerque's Ray Sanchez III. "You're going to need everything you have when we climb into the ring to fight."

Appearing equally as confident, Sanchez held the Mexican legend's son to a draw when it came to pre-fight comments at a news conference held Thursday at the Hilton.

"Chavez is in for a rude awakening," he said.

On Dec. 1 at Tingley Coliseum, the local welterweight (20-1, 15 KOs) will get the biggest break of his career when he takes his shot against the undefeated Chavez (33-0-1, 26 KOs) in a 10-round bout that headlines the pay-per-view card.

There is no title at stake, but the match is being viewed as a make-or-break showdown for both fighters and is being billed as "Latin Fury."

Sanchez, at least by international media, is being viewed as a big underdog.

"If he thinks he's going to beat me in my hometown, he's got another thing coming," Sanchez said. "This is my chance to shine, and I refuse to lose. I know what skills I have. I know my experience. I know my power."

Chavez, though, does not consider the local product a threat.

"I'm not worried about fighting him here in his hometown," he said. "In the ring there's just two of us. I know he's a good fighter, but I'm very confident about what I can do. Fighting a southpaw is a concern, but I have a good training camp and will be prepared.

"As for power? Who says he has power, Albuquerque?"

They have two shared opponents: Midwesterners Shad Howard (12-10-3, 6 KOs) and Travis Hartman (8-8-1, 6 KOs). In Sanchez's last fight, in July, he KO'd Hartman in one round while Chavez stopped him two years ago in three rounds. Howard was beaten with a four-round technical decision last year by Chavez. Five years ago, Howard was destroyed in less than a round by Sanchez.

Howard and Hartman are indicative of the names that can be found on both Chavez's and Sanchez's record.

"This is a real test for these young men," said Top Rank's Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters. "This fight is going to bring out the best in them. Neither one has fought anyone as tough."

Criticism of past foes was a point brought up by Chavez.

"The media has said, `Who have I fought?' " Chavez said. "But who has he fought in his career?"

The comment brought "oohs" from the crowded ballroom, made up of what seemed an equal mix of Sanchez and Chavez supporters.

After posing for the media, Sanchez shrugged it off.

"I've fought much better competition in the amateurs," he said. "But it doesn't matter, because on December 1, it's on. The pressure is on him. He has to live up to his name. I wasn't blessed with the `Chavez' name. I'm just Ray Sanchez from the Valley.

"Come December 1, everyone will know who I am when I'm standing in the middle of the ring with my arms raised, victorious."

The "Latin Fury" card will air four bouts, with Chavez-Sanchez as the main go. Also on the card:

Preceding Chavez-Sanchez will be former two-time world champ Jorge Arce (47-4, 36 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico, who will go 12 rounds with Filipino Wyndel Janiola (19-4, 9 KOs).

World Boxing Organization 108-pound champion Ivan Calderon (29-0, 6 KOs) will fight Mexico's Manuel Vargas (24-2, 10 KOs) in a title defense.

Denver super lightweight Mike Alvarado (18-0, 12 KOs) will take on his toughest foe yet, going 10 with Henry Bruseles (25-3-1, 14 KOs).

At least two New Mexicans, so far, have landed a fight on the untelevised undercard:

Albuquerque's Matthew Esquibel (6-0, 3 KOs) will fight four rounds with Denver's Cuauhtemoc Mendoza (3-3-1, 1 KO) and Santa Fe bantam Anthony Vialpondo (2-0) goes four with Dallas' Jose Garcia (1-2).

The PPV telecast will go for $34.95 and will be blacked out in the Albuquerque area unless Tingley is sold out. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday at all Ticketmaster locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com.