By Dan Ambrose: Most boxing fans would agree that former WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (49-2-2, 28 KO’s) is a huge puncher with one-punch power in his left hand, capable of knocking out an opponent with a single shot at any time in his fights. Oddly enough, WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-0-1, 32 KO’s) doesn’t see Martinez as a huge puncher for some reason.
Here’s some of their discussion on HBO’s face off with Kellerman:
Kellerman: “What do you think of when you look at Julio Cesar Chavez Jr?”
Martinez: “He’s a good fighter and is at a good level, but not at the level of Paul Williams or Kelly Pavlik.”
Chavez Jr: “That’s why I’m here because he’s wrong and doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’ll find out on September 15th. He’s a respectable fighter. He has equal power in both hands. I don’t consider him a great puncher. I think he fights well upstairs, downstairs and he’s good at tiring out his opponents.”
Martinez: “I hope your corner protects you, because I am going to hurt you. How are you going to catch me, Julio?”
Martinez obviously took issue with Chavez Jr. saying that his power wasn’t great and I don’t blame him but I don’t think that’s the only reason why Martinez gave Chavez Jr. a bleak description of how their fight will end up on September 15th when they go at it on HBO pay per view at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I think Martinez genuinely believes that he’s going to knock Chavez Jr. out and badly hurt him in this fight. After having fought for many years against all kinds of different opponents, Martinez is able to size up Chavez Jr. and he knows what he can do against a big, slower fighter like him. Chavez Jr. is a huge guy for a middleweight, the heaviest looking fighter I’ve ever seen at this weight, but he’s also really slow and he doesn’t punch hard for his weight. He’s 180, but Martinez hits harder than him despite weighing 20 pounds less.
Comments are closed.