Sergio Martinez defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in one of the most exciting boxing matches in a long time. Right when the sport needed a fight of this caliber, following Manny Pacquiao's scandalous defeat, everybody is wondering about a Chavez Jr. vs. Martinez II.
From the looks of it, the fans want it and the boxers are willing to do it. They both endorsed the possibility and gave a yes while being interviewed immediately following the fight.
Following his win, Martinez said he was willing to challenge whomever. Through an English translator he said, "The title returned to a fighter that will be willing to fight everyone." In reality, the translator misunderstood what Martinez said, he meant to say that "The title is with a fighter who is willing to give his all," but close enough, the translator was probably also concerned about the possible rematch.
What do we know now after this first part to a possible sequel?
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. can take punches, but he most certainly can return them, and for a good part of the Round 12, he looked like he was going to finish Martinez and steal the victory.
He started Martinez with a good right hand that dazed him up against the ropes, instead of escaping like he had done earlier in the night, Martinez was stunned as his back hugged the ropes.
Chavez Jr. followed with a flurry of hooks to the temple and to the chin of Martinez that almost took him out of the ring. A final left hook took Martinez out of it and he hit the canvas.
The remainder of the round showed something we knew about Martinez from the previous 11 rounds, he is a great counterpuncher and was too fast for Chavez Jr.
Chavez's corner kept telling him towards the end of the fight that he needed a knockout and that he needed to punch more. Freddie Roach, his trainer and sparring partner, said he needed to let his hands loose.
Chavez Jr. finally listened and took advantage of the fat that Martinez dropped his guard and did not move around after getting stunned by Chavez Jr.'s right hand.
Chavez Jr. said after the fight that he truly started late. By started late he was referring to the amount of punches he threw in the beginning rounds.
Martinez simply won the first few rounds because Chavez Jr. was not throwing any punches.
A Part II would likely feature Chavez Jr. attacking earlier, despite being a slow boxer in early rounds. Now he knows he can hurt Martinez with properly places hooks.
Chavez Jr. indeed took a beating, but he never looked like he was in danger of falling. Chavez Jr. attacked late as he spent the earlier rounds standing around waiting to land the perfect punch.
Martinez demonstrated how his unorthodox style of boxing works to his favor. He is fast and can hit hard as he quickly cut open Chavez Jr. in the earlier parts of the fight. By the second round Chavez Jr. was bleeding from his mouth and by the fourth there was blood trickling down his nose.
Part II of Chavez Jr. vs. Martinez would be bloody, but if Chavez Jr. can get the offense started earlier, look for the fight to last less than 12 rounds. Either he will tire out from throwing punches or he will catch Martinez and finish what he started in round 12 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.