By Gareth Rees: Credit where credit is due WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez (46-0-1 1nc) was impressive Saturday night, surprising many including me in stopping Andy Lee (28-2) in 7 rounds. The difference I felt was the heart, mental toughness and chin of Chavez as Lee looked like he had pretty much given up by round 4 as his shots had no effect on Chavez.

Chavez was the bigger fighter and quickly realized Lee didn’t have the power to hurt him and when Lee realized this the jab disappeared as Lee went to the inside where Chavez wanted him.

There is apparently a verbal agreement between Chavez and Sergio Martinez to face each other, with Yahoo Sports reporting both sides have signed a letter of intent to face each other on September 15th at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas. While Lee didn’t have enough power or mental toughness to beat Chavez, Martinez is a totally different beast. Martinez has unarguable power (ask Paul Williams) and is much wiser and quicker than Lee.

Whilst Chavez did show a good chin, he did get hit very easily which is something he can ill afford to do against Martinez, unless he wants to become a human punch bag.
Another reason I fear for Chavez is he hasn’t shown one punch knockout power, he has grinded opponents down with his strength and pressure, but none of these opponents have been as slick as Martinez. I think Martinez is too smart to allow Chavez to grind him down and expect Martinez to use a lot of quick combinations and then moving away come September. I at times felt during the Lee fight Chavez didn’t like receiving body punches and it is common knowledge the amount of weight Chavez cuts to make the 160 pound middleweight limit. This drastic weight cut could mean he is vulnerable to being hurt from a body shot and good body shots will also make it harder for Chavez to grind Martinez down, so look for this to be one of Martinez’s ploys.

Whilst yes Chavez is obviously improving fight after fight, I just think he isn’t ready for Martinez who I think could stop Chavez late on in what will be an old fashioned barn-burner. What will be interesting though is, who the Mexican fans choose as Saul Canelo Alvarez also fights on the same night, in what could be a fight of the year contender against Victor Ortiz. Now bring on September 15th.