Sergio Martinez showed why he is rated as one of the world’s best boxers on Saturday night at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, dismantling the previously unbeaten Julio Cesar Chavez Jr over 11 rounds before overcoming a scare in the final round.
The judges scored the fight unanimously to Martinez (117-110, 118-109, 118-109).
Martinez isn’t usually known for his fast starts, but he came out of the blocks fast against Chavez and was first to every punch. The stats don’t lie when they say that Martinez landed 908 punches to Chavez’s 390.
After dominating the first eleven rounds, Martinez just had to hold on in the final round, but he was caught out when Chavez was able to get inside his jab. After copping a couple of stinging shots to the chin, he was on wobbly legs and hit the canvas.
Like a true champ does, the Argentinian was able to re-balance, and it was all about survival for the remaining 70 seconds. A staggering stat coming out of the final round was that Chavez had a 37-8 edge in power shots landed.
Although there are bigger fish for Martinez to fry, it looks likely that the pair will meet in a rematch, which many assume is due to the money both fighters can make from a rematch, and not on Chavez’s merits despite coming home strong.
“Of course we can do a rematch, whenever he wants,” Martinez said post-fight.
Before Martinez can be labelled the true pound-for-pound best fighter, there is one man he still has to beat: Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather. But with a performance like tonight, I don’t think that fight is far away.
Santiago Ramos
Guest
If you read carefully I said Martinez would beat Chavez Jr easily. Which as the scorecards show Martinez did. If Geale fought either Martinez or Chavez Jr, Geale's career would be ended. Geale has to alphabet titles. Martinez is the king of the middleweight division. Live with it.
Mals
Roar Rookie
Talk is cheap & you are good at talking. You were talking up Chazev Jr before the fight & he showed he was a one trick pony.
Santiago Ramos
Guest
Sergio Martinez took Julio Cesar Chavez Jr to school for 11 rounds. His desperation to KO Chavez Jr nearly cost him the fight, but he has too much heart to get throw it away. What Martinez showed against Chavez Jr was that Geale isn't in that league. Martinez would destroy Geale inside 6 rounds. Martinez is the king of the middleweight division. Geale just has a couple of meaningless titles.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
I see Alvarez vs Mayweather happening next, with Martinez earning millions for a Chavez rematch. Hopefully next year we can see Geale have a shot at Martinez.
Alan
Roar Guru
I wish he could fight Mayweather Andrew. How do rate the chances of such a fight occuring? I think the rematch is well on the cards. Not good news for Geale either.