Sergio Martinez: Chavez Has Real Shots at Beating Canelo

Julio Caesar Chavez, Jr., despite his relative inferiority in terms of fighting skills in comparison to his upcoming opponent fellow Mexican Saul Canelo Alvarez, is far from being written off.  Popular opinion appears to be leaning towards Canelo but if there is one individual whose opinion packs greater weight, it would be of Sergio Martinez. In a recent statement by the former world champion from Argentina, he declared that Chavez has real chances at beating Canelo.

Julio Caesar Chavez and Sergio Martinez, back in 2012, figured in a ring brawl for the WBC middleweight world crown. In that fight Martinez dominated Chavez. But in the 12^th round, Martinez was lucky enough to survive and see the final bell when Chavez hurt and sent him to the canvas. It can be remembered that the training camp of Chavez was rumoured to be very unstable and ruinous weeks leading to the fight.

Julio Caesar Chavez, Jr., 31, and former world middleweight champion; and Saul Canelo Alvarez, 26, and former lightmiddleweight world titlist, are currently in deep training in their respective camps in preparation for their much anticipated ring date on May 6. The fight which is to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is, aside from being part of the 2017 Mexican celebration of Cinco de Mayo weekend, is seen to settle the issue on who between the two protagonists  has the real claim to being the face of contemporary Mexican boxing.

In terms of overall boxing talent and skills it would emerge clear that it belongs to Saul Canelo Alvarez, leaving no mention of the unquestionable superiority - in comparison to Chavez's - of the quality of opponents he has faced. In the section of former opponents in Canelo's resume includes Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosely, Amir Khan, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. With the exception of Floyd Mayweather, all of them got drubbed by Alvarez.  In contrast, Sergio Martinez is the only name of notable magnitude in Chavez's list of past opponents - which he did not even win.

But this fight between Julio Caesar Chavez, Jr. (50-2-1, 32KOs), and Canelo Alvarez (48-1-1.34 KOs) would not have taken life of its own, in the first place, in the absence of the element of unpredictability. In terms of size, Canelo Alvarez is the smaller fighter having fought his lightest and heaviest at welterweight and middleweight, respectively. Whereas, Chavez has been fighting as a lightmiddleweight to being a lightheavyweight. To solve this issue, they will be meeting at a catchweight of 164.5 lbs.

Attaining the catchweight, it is seen to be more detrimental to Chavez than to Alvarez.  But Chavez would still be reporting to the fight, hours after weigh-in inclusive of one full night sleep, considerably bigger and stronger. This would likely spell the difference in Chavez favor, let alone if he trains with much improved discipline and fights with maintained tenacity that he is known for, according to Martinez, a former lineal middleweight world champion.