| |
|
PHOTOS: MARTINEZ PUTS AN 'O' TO JUNIOR'S RECORD
By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Mon, 17 Sep 2012

In one of the most intense battles ever seen in modern times in a middleweight world championship, Argentina's Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez barely survived a vicious last round attack from Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., to defeat the "Son of the Legend" and recapture the WBC belt yesterday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
A fast a accurate Martinez fought extremely well during the first 11 rounds, delivering a boxing lesson the Chavez, but with huge combinations in round 12, Chavez Jr. forced an increasingly tired "Maravilla" hard down to the canvas.
With seconds left, a very hurt Martinez manage to stand up to bravely traded huge bombs with his 11 years younger opponent.
Time was indeed running out as the Argentinian went down again, but the dramatic fall was ruled a slip by experienced referee Tony Weeks.
Official scorecards were: Stanley Christodoulou of South Africa 117-110, Adalaide Byrd of Las Vegas 118-109 and Dave Moretti of Las Vegas 118-109 all in favor of the new WBC middleweight world champion Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez.
The awesome win was the greatest victory for the Argentinian, the 50th his boxing career. Chavez Jr. lost his undefeated record, but for many of his Mexican fans, the defeat was not that disappointing at all
"The junior lost but showed tenacity and a warrior's heart, so did Martinez. It was just a great fight among Latinos, the perfect gift in independence day," said a fan post in Latin American portal Notifight.com, the worlds #1 boxing site in Spanish.
Philboxing's friend, the talented Mexican photographer Pepe Rodriguez of the WBC, was well-positioned at the Thomas & Mack to capture photos of the epic combat. Here Pepe offers Philboxing readers exciting photos of the thrilling action. Gracias Pepe!
Photos by Pepe Rodriguez/WBC


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Donaire back in Cebu By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES , Fri, 23 Jan 2026Four Pinoys in line for title shots By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas , Fri, 23 Jan 2026SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES , Thu, 22 Jan 2026STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS , Thu, 22 Jan 2026Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer" By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States , Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing , Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES , Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS , Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 20 Jan 2026Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Tue, 20 Jan 2026“Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Tue, 20 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Mon, 19 Jan 2026RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN , Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia , Sat, 17 Jan 2026Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos) By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21 , Sat, 17 Jan 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|