By John F. McKenna (McJack): Ring Magazine middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (49-2-2, 28 KO’s) has been clamoring for a marquee fight for the past couple of years and his dream will be fulfilled when he enters the ring to take on World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-0-1, 32 KO’s). Martinez and Chavez will clash on September 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Martinez is not worried about Julio’s height and weight advantage. Chavez has rehydrated up to as much as 180 pounds in recent fights after the weigh in. It is Sergio’s contention that it is to his advantage if Julio enters the ring at 180 pounds. Martinez believes the added weight will only serve to slow Chavez down and make him an easier target.

Sergio points out that Paul Williams and Kelly Pavilik were bigger than him and he was able to defeat both fighters convincingly. Martinez states that he will use his speed to neutralize Julio’s clear advantage in size. He adds that Chavez will have to carry the added weight around with him for many rounds and that as the fight progresses it will serve to slow him down making him easier to hit.

Martinez, who is also known as “Maravilla” to his fans, was quoted in “Bettor.com” saying:

“I don’t want to end this fight quickly. I want him to know what it’s like to be on this level and what it’s like to be against the real champion, and what it’s like to be with a person who will make you exert yourself to the max.”

Sergio is quick to acknowledge that Chavez is a much improved fighter from where he was a year ago and that he would have been a much easier opponent at that time. Martinez still believes however that he has the tools to break Julio down and that he has never fought anyone on Sergio’s level.

Chavez has improved dramatically in his most recent fights and has been transformed into an honest to goodness champion under the tutelage of veteran trainer Freddie Roach. Julio demonstrated a granite chin against the highly respected Andy Lee (28-2, 20 KO’s) in June and was able to walk through anything Lee dished out, stopping him in the 7th round.