Kickoff Presser for September 15 Clash!
The mega match between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez was officially announced Tuesday at the kickoff news luncheon held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The fiery clash will take place on September 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center (on the UNLV campus) in Las Vegas. This world championship battle is in defense of Chavez Jr.’s WBC belt and is promoted by Top Rank, Zanfer Promotions and DiBella Entertainment. It will air on HBO PPV.
In attendance was Hall of Fame promoter and Top Rank chief Bob Arum, who proudly declared this upcoming bout the “Hispanic Super Bowl of Boxing.” The collision will take place on Mexican Independence Day; tickets go on sale Thursday, July 12 at 12 noon.
On stage at the L.A. presser was Arum, the two prizefighters, promoters Fernando Beltran, Lou DiBella and Sampson Lewkowicz, Martinez’s trainer Pablo Sarmiento, HBO’s Kery Davis, along with one worldwide legend no one in the room could ignore–Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
While knockout artist Martinez (49-2-2, 28 KOs) came to the podium in a pink shirt, dark shades, and flexed muscles, his counterpart Chavez Jr. was arguably sporting the best accessory of all in his father, the icon known as JCC. This father-son duo is one pair you might not want to mess with. Chavez Sr. even offered a few spirited comments of his own toward Martinez, whom he said had been trash talking in the lead up to this first news conference.
After Julio Sr. aimed verbal barbs at the Argentinean slugger, promoter Lou DiBella, just smiled and quipped back in regards to Chavez Sr.’s war of words: “I have too much respect for him…and he could STILL kick the shit out of me!”
This September feud will no doubt be a sizzler as the anticipation will build the next two months. While we listened to the participants taking their turn at the microphone, the boxers’ fight highlights played on screens in the background of the Crystal Ballroom. This bout between the two middleweights has fans salivating. And fans will have to choose between two big events that night in Las Vegas. Reports are that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will face Josesito Lopez on September 15 on a rival card that very same night.
But for the Top Rank crew, there is only one “Super Bowl of Boxing” being offered in September: Chavez Jr. vs. Martinez.
The unbeaten WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-0-1, 32 KOs) has come into his own, gaining more and more respect of fans and critics in his recent outings. The Freddie Roach-trained Chavez Jr. has proved his toughness in past battles, answering any naysayers with his fists and chin. His fighter and his camp say he’s ready for the famed one-punch power puncher in Martinez. “The Son of a Legend” stated, “This is the fight I’ve always wanted. Martinez has said a lot of bad things. Let’s see if he wants to go to the center of the ring and fight like a man!”
During the rumble, Martinez plans on grabbing back the WBC world middlweight belt, which he feels was taken from him. “We have been working very hard with my team through the years for this moment–and I will make sure to leave Las Vegas September 15th as the winner,” the WBC Diamond champ said. “Chavez Jr. has shown some 
improvement in his last fight, but that will not be enough to defeat me September 15th.”
It will be a media whirlwind for the pair of warriors and their teams. HBO Sports’ Kery Davis also announced there are plans for future episodes of “24/7,” “Face Off with Max Kellerman,” and the new “2 Days: Portrait of a Fighter” featuring the Mexican superstar and the Argentinean hero.
Will the most famous “Son of a Legend” score his biggest victory to date on September 15?
Or will the explosive Martinez earn his all-important 50th victory as a pro?
It will be Culiacán vs. Buenos Aires, Mexico vs. Argentina, Julio Cesar Chavez Carrasco vs. Sergio Gabriel Martinez.
WHO WILL WIN?
We will have our answers in this Hispanic “Super Bowl of Boxing” on September 15th!
www.unlvtickets.com or (702) 739-FANS
Photos by Marlene Marquez
chavez looks weak!
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