Ever since Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-0-1, 32 KO’s) would unceremoniously be gifted universally recognized middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (49-2-2, 28 KO’s) WBC title belt, the pound-for-pound Argentinian fighter has been seething. This action no doubt the end result of Julio’ Godfather and WBC head for life Jose Sulaiman stripping Sergio and positioning “JC Jr.” for that very distinction, a mockery if you will. Add in the fact that Chavez Jr. will pocket slightly more than twice the amount Martinez is to receive for his efforts this weekend, with no pay per view revenue to speak of, and that makes for a volatile mixture of emotions.
And come September 15th, that which is pent up inside “Maravilla” Martinez will come to a boil, as he plans to summon all of his energies to put a serious whooping on a fighter who he feels doesn’t merit the right to hold his former title, much less be in the same ring with him. Moreover, whereas Sergio has had seemingly two lackluster bouts in a row where he’d get off to slow starts, I surmise that fight fans will see a more consistent, determined, and calculated Sergio Martinez from the first bell onwards this Saturday night from Las Vegas, Nevada’ Thomas and Mack Center.
And make no mistake, in any endeavor the Argentine has been involved in, despite any delayed fireworks, as soon as he let’s his hands go in a significant way, he looks all the part of the pound-for-pound fighter he’s touted to be. Furthermore, with many claiming that this is the right time for this fight, and that Chavez Jr. was justified in making Martinez wait precisely because “JC Jr.” is now ready, and that the bout wouldn’t have been as significant or competitive had this meeting taken place anytime sooner, somehow seems to be an argument that misses the point.
It’s the fighter from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico who should have been making his way up through the ranks of pugilism, a scenario that would have been similarly expected of any other fighter still in the developmental stages. But instead, Jr. would early on be dubiously set up to garner his current title while Martinez was cast aside, no less relegated to becoming ridiculously labeled as champion emeritus, holder of the WBC Diamond middleweight title.
But for obvious monetary reasons, Martinez adviser Sampson Lewkowicz and promoter Lou DiBella would acquiesce, going along with Sergio being dethroned so to speak while Sebastian Zbik, a fighter with a mediocre resume, would be elevated to full champion by the WBC, the very move that would allow “JC Jr.” to have his way Zbik en-route to illegitimately in the eyes of many capturing the vacant 160 pound title.
In light of this, a highly motivated Martinez is out to reclaim what is rightfully his at the expense of a fighter who he feels is not worthy, only put in the position of where he is because of who he is, the son of Mexican icon Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., so as to continue to milk the Chavez name which is considered more of a box office draw. Indeed the very monetary consideration alluded to above where the executive brass at HBO saw fit to simulcast Julio Jr. versus Sebastian Zbik for a vacant WBC middleweight title, instead of featuring the less well followed Martinez against Zbik in defense of his rightfully earned WBC belt, this a result of his absolute beat down of Kelly Palik in 2010.
Obviously the mind set of those at the premium cable network is that if it makes dollars, it makes sense, no matter who gets the short end. And if Team Martinez’ passing on the Zbik fight was in any way calculated to perhaps make Martinez-Chavez Jr. a more lucrative endeavor, not only has it taken more time than expected to bring off this event, affording Julio time to develop against mainly set-up opponents over whom he’d have a tremendous size advantage, but presently it doesn’t seem that Martinez has so far come out on the winning end from a contractual standpoint.
In addition to the aforementioned financial terms that highly favor Chavez Jr., the Argentinian essentially will face a cruiserweight once the bell rings. And who does Julio have to thank for the tremendous size advantage he will have over Martinez when he enters the ring this weekend, or for that matter the size advantage he’s had in numerous fights past, why non other than his Godfather Jose Sulaiman, who in his capacity as WBC President would usher in the 24 hour pre-fight official weigh in time.
But for what it’s worth, “JC Jr.” is out to prove the naysayer’s wrong in that he’s his own man who deserves all the accolades coming his way and more. My position on Chavez Jr. is no less similar than to that of his trainer Freddie Roach, who if I’m wrong and Freddie didn’t admit it, I will. “JC Jr.” is really not an athlete, but somebody who was molded and/or prodded along to become the prizefighter he is today, not possessing much in the way of natural talent.
This has led Chavez Jr. to a large extent, in complicity with those around him, to seek a somewhat artificial advantage in that he’s perhaps using diuretics or other less than formal or accepted means to make weight and subsequently possess a significant size and weight advantage upon entering the ring. At some point this method will backfire and it could just be in the biggest fight of his career.
On the other side of the fence you have Sergio Martinez, who in comparison to that of Chavez Jr. is really nothing less than a pure all around athlete, having played soccer I believe at the semi-pro level, as well as competed as a professional cyclist. This athleticism, where Martinez is the more mobile and naturally gifted fighter, will as things progress factor in tremendously if not carry the day, this for as long as the bout lasts.
And with dynamite in his fists, it remains to be seen how sturdy Chavez Jr.’ chin really is, of which it is assumed along with his size will help to maintain him upright against his foe. And in my opinion, the longer the Mexican fighter stands in with Martinez, the more of a thrashing he’ll receive so that I see the aging veteran winning by decision or late kayo. Catch all the action live from Las Vegas, Nevada’ Thomas and Mack Center on HBO Pay Per View, 9PM ET/6PM PT.
