A dark cloud persists over trainer Roach: Chavez Jr. schooled by Martinez

By Boxing News - 09/17/2012 - Comments

Image: A dark cloud persists over trainer Roach: Chavez Jr. schooled by MartinezBy Babatis Banda: We witnessed a one sided battle over the week-end where Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was taught a very good lesson by the veteran Sergio Martinez. It was simply a one sided match from round one until the twelfth round when Martinez was decked, but survived the scare. It was clear that speed, a set of good legs and a superior boxing ability reigned supreme over sheer size and power.

Even if Martinez had been counted out, it could have made very little difference to the fact that Martinez is at a higher level than Chavez Jr. In fact, in my own opinion, Chavez junior does not even deserve a re-match, at least not in the immediate future until he proves himself again by winning his next fight, and against a competitive opponent.

That said, this whole episode added misery to the legendary trainer, Freddie Roach. Roach has seen all his ‘top-cream’ boxers reduced and converted to some semi-cheap cheese in a very short time. It all started with Amir Khan, who is now reported to have left him. This was followed by Pacquiao, who lost to Bradley, and had narrowly survived a split decision against Marquez, the man he will meet for the fourth time on December 8, 2012. The same cloud that hangs over Roach as coach, seems to hung over his fighters as well, especially Pacquiao who risks another loss against Marquez and if that happens, we may see Pacquiao retire.

The development over the week-end is extremely good for Floyd Mayweather junior. It offers him a solid opportunity to cement his legacy by either beating Martinez or Saul Alvarez, another young and dangerous Mexican who had a good showing over the week-end. The two are super substitutes if the fight with Pacquiao fails to take place. Perhaps, if Floyd’s last two fights are against Alvarez and then Martinez, he will have cemented his legacy beyond expectation of even his serious critics.

One thing is for sure, the legendary future ‘hall of famer’ trainer Freddie Roach has a dark cloud over his head that may need to be exorcized.



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