Boxing Nation – Martinez survives late rally by Chavez Jr.

Sergio Martinez proved why he is one of the three best fighters in the world by totally outboxing and giving a lesson to the undisciplined son of a legend Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.    What we learned last Saturday night is that dedication, discipline and determination count a lot more than mere physical advantages .   Chavez Jr. thought he could cruise his way to victory by overpowering his more experienced and talented opponent often skipping sparring and training by his own in his living room leaving trainer Freddy Roach waiting at the gym.  This proved to be the difference as Chavez looked as he had no plan for Martinez’ style.     Sergio was able to connect with a basic one-two all night long disfiguring the young boxer’s face while humiliating him in front of his crowd.    It was Mexican Independence day and Julio wanted to give his followers a night to remember, a classic turning of the torch moment and mainly, show the world that he is no joke.   He almost did it.

After 11 rounds of total domination, Martinez decided to trade some punches with the much bigger Chavez, a right hand caught Maravilla on the chin and sent him reeling bringing the crowd to its feet.  It was one of the most electrifying moments in boxing this year and without a doubt the round of the year from this moment on.   Martinez decided to continue fighting after he was stunned only to find himself on the canvas.   Images of Meldrick Taylor where in everybody’s minds as Chavez Jr was emulating his legendary father’s biggest victory when he won a fight he was loosing knocking out his most difficult opponent in the final seconds of the final round.    It was probably the most exciting moment i’ve ever lived in a boxing arena.  Even press row was standing like if they were regular fans.   People were screaming as Martinez stood and weathered the storm.  He almost went down again but history wouldn’t repeat itself, not this time, not on his night.  Sergio had other things on the back of his mind, his moments of poverty, the times when he had to escape Argentina to find food to put on the table for his family.  He wasn’t going to lose to a spoiled brat.

This was a victory for professionalism.  Thank god a real athlete won, we don’t want kids emulating a guy who thinks he can disrespect the sport by doing things his own way.  Sergio, a man’s man, has done it the hard way and he trained for this fight as if he was fighting the best of the best (which he wasn’t).     Chavez Jr. looked huge inside the ring, it was more of a cruiserweight fighting for the middleweight title, so it wasn’t no surprise to see Martinez a little bit bruised and cut after the fight.   Seeing him hurt as he was in the last round was more because of the difference in weight than the actual power of the young mexican star.    Don’t be confused but what you see, Chavez isn’t a true middleweight, he should be fighting Carl Frotch instead.

It was a sellout, with more than 19,000 screaming fans, a record for boxing at the Thomas and Mack Center, rooting for their favorite fighter.   It was more like 80% mexicans vs 20% argentines, but it seemed at moments that it was an even crowd.   Top Rank made sure to make the event a world class one as it invested in a production I have never seen in a Boxing event, rivaling any sporting event in the world.   It was awesome.  Lights, video, music, everything was spectacular.  Thanks to Martinez and Chavez who gave all they could until the last round we had one of the most special moments in boxing history with the last round.  Everybody will forever remember that moment, and anybody who got to experience this first hand will know what I’m talking about.   I just saw the HBO telecast and it just doesn’t compare to what was experienced live.   Thats why you have to go to these events.  I’m glad it was priced for the fans.   In the recently announced Pacquiao vs Marquez 4 fight we are getting prices for high rollers, not the fans who make this sport survive.  Bob, Oscar, please price your events for the real fans, these are the guys that keep the sport running, not the tuxedo and cocktail dressed spoiled brats (no pun intended).

Las Vegas for Mexican independence day is always a big party, but it seemed even bigger with two boxing events staged at the same night.    More than 34,000 fans payed for tickets to see the two biggest mexican attractions in boxing today.   Canelo Alvarez fought Josesito Lopez at the MGM grand in what was more of a mismatch than an actual fight, but still managed to bring in more than 14,000 fans.    Chavez and Martinez broke records making the fans live a memorable night and give them a reason to hope for a rematch.  Boxing is much alive and this proves than when you put the right fight at the right place with the adequate price you’ll get a sellout.    The Alvarez-Lopez undercard was very good and mostly delivered as promised, while the Martinez-Chavez card featured a pretty good match and a new boxing promise.

As a fan I’ve only experienced this kind of athmosphere at the Margarito vs Cotto fight 4 years ago.  The last round of Chavez vs Martinez reminded me of Vazquez-Marquez III.  It was that good.   I hope Bob and Oscar continue doing these kind of events.   I don’t care if they do it on the same night.  Fans want all the boxing they can get and i’m sure everybody at home watched one or the other but was in boxing mode all weekend long.