Philippines, 12 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PHOTOS: MARTINEZ PUTS AN 'O' TO JUNIOR'S RECORD


PhilBoxing.com




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:

  • Casimero vs Nery for WBA Gold Super Bantamweight Title April 18 in Kyrgyzstan!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • United States Completes Day Three of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup With Five Wins
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • 83 Points! Bam Adebayo makes the second-highest score in NBA league history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Renz Paolo Nool rules 5th Kenz Gambit Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • “The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • 153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
    , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.