Lets not get it twisted- I am just a boxing fan. I don't think I'm a sports writer. This is not a sports blog. Unless the stars fall from the sky and the Bears win a Super Bowl or the Cubs ever get another Pennant you will never read a word about any ball sports here. I'm a street-nerd not a jocko-homo. OK so let's jump right into the main event! Shall we? (read in your best Howard Cosell voice)
First, a little background about these 2 very talented fighters...
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (Mexico, 48-0, 32 by KO) - Son of living legend, Hall of Famer, JC Chavez, Chavez Jr. was the undefeated WBC Mid-weight Champion. He'd most recently retained this title via TKO against Ireland's Andy Lee (28-2, 20 by KO). Lee, a southpaw like Martinez, spent most of the time in the corners, exploiting his slight reach advantage to fend off Chavez's onslaughts. Chavez continued to push Lee into the corners but like most fighting Irishmen, Lee refused to be confined. Instead he engaged the champ in an all-out brawl. As they traded punches, Chavez's consitently devastating left hooks wore Lee down forcing him back into the corners again. At 2:21 in round 7 WBC Official Lawrence Cole ended the fight which looked surely as though it would've ended otherwise in a KO by Chavez Jr. It is his ability to take punishment and then unleash on his opponents with reserves of energy in those final rounds that proved most impressive last night.
Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez (Argentina, 49-2, 28 by KO) - Martinez is a fantastic athlete. Previously a pro cyclist and soccer player, Martinez entered his pro boxing career at 21 and was, before this fight, at age 37 ranked 3rd pound for pound in the world. It is impossible to mention this fighter without mentioning his rivalry with fellow southpaw Paul Williams. For their first fight, both these endurance brawlers traded knockdown for knockdown with Williams winning by upset decision after 12 spectacular rounds. In the second fight, round 1 had Williams leading on the scorecard, but after 1:00 into round 2 Maravilla delivered a cataclysmic left-hook that put Williams momentum to sleep, literally. Sadly, Williams was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident in Georgia earlier this year. Erasing any hope of a 3rd bout. Martinez, previous to this fight, had taken "The Ring" magazine middleweight title from Kelly Pavlik by unanimous decision. In his last fight, vs "The Tipperary Tornado", Matt Macklin, Maravilla displayed his fantastic stamina again. After an equally impressive exhibit of his power and accuracy, Macklin's corner ended the fight at the close of round 11. Like Chavez, he's an all-arounder. Capable of both strategy and surprise.
The Fight:
Everyone knew this was going to be a good fight. I don't think anyone knew just how good. This was the best fight I have witnessed in years. It was one of those times where you realize you may be witnessing sports history as it is happening. Both fighters exchanged blow for blow from the onset. However it was Martinez who controlled the whole fight. He kept connecting. It seemed both combatants were trying to deliver glorious KO's with every punch fired. Neither man achieved this end, but, by rounds 11-12, I was watching some of the best boxing nay, one of the best fights that I had ever seen. When we all saw the young Chavez's adrenaline arc blast of energy in that 12th round, I'm sure many of us thought Martinez could be knocked out in those last minutes. He was knocked down repeatedly, but he endured. The room literally ERUPTED!!! There was no way anyone could've heard the final bell, but in the end this was scorecard fight in which Martinez more than earned the win. These were 2 smart boxers, both exhibiting endurance, accuracy, and a shitload of heart. I don't think that Chavez ever faced an opponent so evenly matched with him before. Drop back and reload gentlemen, your re-match is most certain. UPDATED: Chavez Jr. (48-1) Martinez (50-2)
See you next week.
-2012 Wielgorecki
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