Sergio Martinez W UD12 Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
It was high drama in Las Vegas as Sergio Martinez retained his middleweight crown in a dominating performance save for the final three minutes where he was almost stopped in a dramatic final push from Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas as seen live on HBO PPV. Martinez controled almost the entire fight in a class performance but was dropped hard in Round 12 where he had to hang on for dear life before being awarded a wide and deserved points win. Martinez started out boxing well in the first round controlling the early action with his jab. Chavez backed off seemingly looking to see what kind of power Martinez was bringing to the table. Sergio?s hand-at-his-side style surfaced in Round 2 and Jr. got some good work in on the ropes for the first time.
Early on it was Martinez?s movement against Chavez?s stalking with the Argentinian looking a bit more seasoned to start the evening. Chavez pressed forward but Martinez used good foot movement to turn and fire off counter punches.
While Martinez seemed to get off a larger array of work early Chavez did well to show he could take Sergio?s shots to that point.
Things heated up in the fourth as both men started to engage more. Chavez did some good work along the ropes but Martinez was more effective when there was any kind of distance. Junior complained of a low blow late in the round and Martinez jumped in with two good straight lefts to punctuate the round.
Martinez gained momentum going into the early rounds and really seemed to find a rhythm that seemed to stymie the younger fighter. Chavez tried as he might to press Martinez to the ropes but every time he did the slick Argentinian punched his way off them very quickly and went right back to controlling the fight from range.
Martinez kicked it up a notch in Round 7 and really started to take the fight to Junior. He landed straight left hands on the button and had Chavez?s nose leaking blood as he pinned him on the ropes. Just when it looked dire for the younger fighter he made a last stand in the closing moments breifly showing some of his family?s trademark heart? but it was another big Martinez round.
As the fight transitioned into the later rounds Martinez began to look like the matador to Chavez?s bull. He kept the fight on the outside in the centre of the ring and used his superior class to keep the fight at his pace and in his comfort zone.
Martinez was in complete control down the stretch and entering the championship rounds as he continued to bust Chavez with lead shots fighting at his own pace. Martinez ended Round 10 with a thunderous roar beating his chest before the excited crowd.
Martinez?s beautiful footwork was a large deciding factor in the fight as every time Junior tried to advance Martinez darted away at an angle before resetting only to punish him again.
The crowed was at it?s feet in Round 11 as Chavez made a gallant last stand and bullied Martinez to the ropes where he landed a huge right hand. But Martinez shook his head no and got the better of the exchange with his back against the rope before beating Chavez across the ring. He looked stronger in every area of the ring.
In a stunning turn of events Chavez landed a huge left hook in the final round that decked Martinez hard. He got up on very unsteady legs and looked in trouble but somehow survived to the final bell.
After twelve rounds were complete the scores were read as 117-110 and 118-109 (x2) all for Martinez who did control the majority of the bout up until that dramatic final round.
Both fighters were respectful in their post fight comments and said they would welcome a rematch.
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