“Latino Trash Talk”

Pay-per-view World Middleweight Championship fight between Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. and Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, scheduled for September 15, 2012 in Las Vegas.

 

The Press Conference on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at The Edison Ballroom in Manhattan, announcing the mega pay-per-view World Middleweight Championship fight between W.B.C. Champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. and Two Division World Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, scheduled for Saturday, September 15, 2012 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, actually turned into a “roast”.

There was so much trash talking and insults that the 2 managers, Fernando Beltran—Chavez, Jr., and Sampson Lewkowicz—Martinez,  leaped out of their seats to punch each other out until cooler heads prevailed and separated them.

This was just the tip of the iceberg of a long seething dispute because as Sergio Martinez stated, Chavez, Jr. was a chicken “ducking” him and fighting mediocre fighters like John Duddy, Peter Manfredo, Marco Rubio, and Andy Lee, while not giving him an opportunity to fight for a title that was taken from him, and was rightfully his.

In reality, the Julio Chavez, Jr. camp, after Chavez, Jr. defeated Sebastian Zbik for the title, did admit that they “strategically” avoided Martinez.  They did this in order to help Chavez, Jr. not only develop his skills under the expert  training of Hall Of Fame Trainer, Freddy Roach, but to also firm up new skills by fighting competitive opponents such as world champ, Marco Rubio.  After the Andy Lee fight, also a left handed fighter like Martinez, the Chavez camp felt that Chavez was mature enough now and ready to challenge Sergio Martinez, who is regarded as the number 3 pound for pound fighter in the world. I agree — best to not throw a “cub” into the lion’s den until he is ready to defend himself.

Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., 46-0-1, 32 knockouts, has shown an improvement in his boxing skills, fighting taller, using his jab consistently, while being more defensive. In his past fights Chavez, Jr. would just slug with an opponent, bending low and getting hit unnecessarily. In addition to his new acquired skills Chavez, Jr. has always been a punishing body puncher just like his legendary  father, Chavez, Sr. which could cause Martinez problems round-to-round.

On the other hand, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, 49-2-2, 28 k.o.’s, always fights the same left handed way, dropping his hands, shifting from side to side, bending low and very seldom punching to the body while trying to draw his opponents into his ring traps.

Although Martinez is the harder puncher who can knock an opponent out early as he did to Paul Williams or score a k.o. in the later rounds as he did to Matthew Macklin.  He has late round stamina, but I feel that the advantage is in the Chavez, Jr. corner because of his come at you body punching warrior mentality that could wear out Martinez in the latter rounds, and possibly knock him out.

The fact that Sergio Martinez came from poverty, and Julio Chavez, Jr. came from  the “lap of luxury” because of his legendary iconic father, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr., will have no bearing on the outcome of this fight since both fighters turned “pro” with no amateur experience, and have a fighter’s heart, pride and confidence in their skills, and a will to win.

Therefore, on September 15, 2012  during Mexico’s, “El Grito De Independencia”—Cry Of Independence Day Celebration, when the ring bell rings in the Thomas & Mack Center ring in Las Vegas, just like Father Hidalgo’s Church bell rang on 1810, a war will begin not for freedom or independence from Spain, but for redemption and pound-for-pound status.

Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. will attempt to prove to the boxing world that he is not a “flash in the pan,” pampered child living under his father’s ring legacy.  Also, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez will attempt to establish himself as “Numero Uno”—the No. #1 pound for pound ruler of the entire middleweight division.

The weapons of choice used by these 2 valiant strong-hearted warriors will be their fists.  Fists encased in leather 10 oz. boxing gloves and not the sticks, stones, and spears used in the 11 year battle of 1810, by Father Hidalgo and his fearless Mexican people, fighting for their independence.  Chavez, Jr. and Martinez will do it in just 12 torrid rounds, or in a half hour.

My great concern is that if the fight goes 12 rounds, that there be a fair and just decision rendered for either fighter if the fight becomes that close.

 

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