By Hans Olson
On September 15, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (49-2-2) will defend his Middleweight Championship against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-0-1), live on HBO Pay-Per-View from the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Almost universally recognized as one of the top three fighters on the planet next to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Sergio recently took some time out of his busy schedule to offer Boxing Insider some thoughts on the fight with Chavez and more!
On what he’s been up to since the Macklin fight:
“Well, after some time off, I got the opportunity to participate in “Dancing with the Stars” in Argentina, and I danced a couple of programs. I have thought back after the fight with Chavez. Later I returned to Spain, where I have several businesses and a few months ago [became] a promoter of boxing itself. We are trying to lift boxing in Spain, which is difficult because there is not a very popular sport [and] is not very well seen by the press and politicians. We are organizing small events and helping new boxers to have a better future. It is an exciting adventure.”
On the Fight being finalized with Chavez:
“The fight is a done deal 100% I’ve been waiting a long time! It will be a great show and [I’ll keep] the belt in my hands. It [will] never leave.”
On his opinion of Chavez vs. Andy Lee?
“I think Chavez has greatly improved in his last fight, so the fight with Lee as above with Rubio have been great victories. However, I have to say I expected more from Andy Lee. I think he himself is not convinced of the fight he did.”
Thoughts on how strong Chavez appeared against Lee, and what he’ll need to do in order to be successful:
“I’m not surprised because the only thing Chavez has is his physical strength, [he] has nothing more. It will be a tough fight because of that circumstance, as I said before, I feel more of a jr. middleweight than a middleweight, and Chavez is closer to the light heavyweight than of 160 pounds. How will I keep it away? Well, that will see the 15th.”
Thoughts on his fan support:
“I Just to say thanks again for following my career and I hope that on September 15 Have fun with my fight. I assure you it will be a great show and a new triumph for the Maravilla Team.”
Boxing Insider’s Hans Olson can be reached at hanswilliamolson@yahoo.com