Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 9/17/2012 4:05pm

Merged because there was already a thread.

**OZZ** · Posted On: 9/17/2012 4:06pm

I hope this fight was as good as it sounds, I wish I could have watched it on Saturday night.
Have to wait until TSN re broadcasts it.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 9/17/2012 4:13pm

Yeah, I missed it as well. Sounds really good.

**Eddie Hardon** · Posted On: 9/17/2012 5:33pm

Originally Posted by atomicpoet

Just want to say this. While I've seen a lot of great fights during the past few years, most of them are rarely seen by the mainstream fight audience. No, most of the fights people see are non-competitive Pacquiao or Mayweather exhibitions where something controversial happens.

Count me thrilled when Martinez, a man on the same talent level as Pacquiao and Mayweather, fights in a competitive grudge match, wins convincingly, and without controversy.

This is a reminder that there's more to boxing than Pacquiao or Mayweather, and that other fighters deserve some attention every now and then. Hell, other fighters might offer more entertainment value than the Big 2.

There's some tremendous talent bubbling below the radar; guys who cannot fight Mayweather or Pacquiao because they're in different weight divisions, or they still have to through their proving grounds to prove they're legitimate. There's also guys who aren't talented but still put on a great show.

Hopefully, this fight will whet the public's appetite for something different from the usual fare.

Thankfully Boxing is going through something of a resurgence in the UK. This is partly owing to the successes in the amateurs of Audley Harrison, who parlayed his Olympic Gold into a guaranteed contract with the BBC - and then let everyone down. Even so, this was built on by the Silver of Amir Khan, and to today in that we've been more competitive in the Olympics and also professionally.

The broadcasting of boxing was usually by BBC and/or ITV but, the tragedies of Eubank v Watson, Benn v McClellan, saw ITV withdraw and the BBC only returned with Harrison.

SKY TV bought out most Boxing to force fans to buy Cable/Satellite etc but in recent times, they have also drawn back from Boxing except for Khan.

Today, we have Box Nation, which is a dedicated cable channel and is in partnership with Frank Warren. I'm a subscriber and I'm pretty pleased. I saw Canelo v Lopez - great performance from Alvarez on repeat on Box Nation.

So, we've now more options to see more national and international boxing on cable channels so I'm chuffed. I still read Boxing News (UK weekly) but also get to see more. :-)

**Eliada** · Posted On: 9/17/2012 8:12pm

Very glad to hear that, Eddie! Good to hear my favorite sport is still appreciated on the other side of the pond. I suppose boxing will always have a special place in its homeland. I certainly wish we had a dedicated boxing channel here in the States. I'd buy cable for it! (I certainly have nothing to watch on TV without it!)

I'd like to agree with you, atomicpoet, but I can't. The public paid for a big-name fight - I'd wager Chavez Jr. brought most of the PPV audience (but what do I know? I'm not privy to HBO's figures). The promoters played it as the son of Chavez Sr. fighting on Grito de Dolores, and the Mexican audience came in droves to give support. Did you hear the entire audience boo for Martinez and cheer for Chavez? I personally doubt that they were charmed by Chavez's dazzling physique, rapier wit or personal charm. This match was promoted like a big-boy match and the public responded. I don't think the masses will gain a broader appreciation for boxing any time soon.

Nothing would make me happier than to be wrong, tho'. I'm scared for the future of the sport - at least here in America.

**OZZ** · Posted On: 9/18/2012 10:33am

The end of this fight sounds similar to the end of Chavez Sr.'s fight with Meldrick Taylor years ago.
Only difference is junior's dad pulled a victory out.

**Eliada** · Posted On: 9/18/2012 1:12pm

Originally Posted by OZZ

The end of this fight sounds similar to the end of Chavez Sr.'s fight with Meldrick Taylor years ago.
Only difference is junior's dad pulled a victory out.

Believe me, they were making those comparisons before the final bell had even rung.

EDIT: I think it's a pretty illuminating parallel - beyond just the literal level. Chavez Jr. has the iron chin and incredible body punches that his father did, but their work ethics (and, consequently, skill levels) are incomparable. Junior has all the gifts, but gifts aren't enough. Senior had that extra reserve of power and ability - earned through training - to finish strong if given even the slightest opportunity.

**Eddie Hardon** · Posted On: 9/18/2012 2:15pm

Originally Posted by OZZ

The end of this fight sounds similar to the end of Chavez Sr.'s fight with Meldrick Taylor years ago.
Only difference is junior's dad pulled a victory out.

Agreed. Eliada is correct, once Jnr connected with a stunning Right, it looked like he'd KO Martinez right at the end. Meldrick v Julio was instantly mentioned by the commentator. It didn't quite happen but it was very close.

Personally, I think Richard Steele was the Best Referee in the World so I would trust his judgment; even though many thought he denied Taylor Anyway, don't want to digress.

***Tranquil Suit*** · Posted On: 9/20/2012 3:27am

Well ****, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. submits positive marijuana test.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sports...,3307897.story

**OZZ** · Posted On: 9/20/2012 9:06am

Anyone who has ever boxed knows pot doesn't do anything to boost your performance.
If anything, it may hinder your performance if you smoke too much.
Grass shouldn't even be on the banned substance list.
He probably smoked a joint one or two days before the fight.