There are two schools of thought when it comes to whether second generation fighter, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. deserves a rematch against Sergio Martinez and a shot at regaining the WBC middleweight title. The debate stems from the 26-year-old's near knockout victory in the twelfth round against Martinez after losing the first eleven rounds in one-sided fashion.
Here are both sides of the issue. Please feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comment section of this article.
Yes, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Deserves a Rematch
Sure, Chavez Jr. was befuddled and bewildered for most of the fight, but when push came to shove, the kid finally let his hands go in the last two rounds and found a home for some big shots that nearly ended the contest. Many fighters, hopelessly down on the scorecards, would've just packed it up and gone into cruise control until the final bell. Most would not have blamed Chavez if he had simply gone through the motions for the last two rounds and then back to the drawing board with some new gym work and training lessons after the tough defeat. Instead, Chavez kept coming forward and finally broke through in the twelfth, giving fans one of the most thrilling final rounds since Chavez's father knocked out Meldrick Taylor with seconds left in their bout. Jr's strong closing moments indicate that a rematch would be more hotly contested and that the younger fighter, knowing he can hurt his foe, will go for the kill sooner in the fight. For that reason, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. deserves a chance at redemption and the WBC middleweight belt.
No, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Does Not Deserve a Rematch
Chavez Jr. was hopelessly over-matched for the vast majority of the fights, down eleven rounds to none going into the twelfth. Even the first half of the twelfth round was a draw until Chavez landed the big left hand that, realistically, was just as much a product of Martinez being tired as Chavez being determined. With victory within reach, Chavez could not end things and wound up losing a rightfully one-sided decision. Prior to that one punch, Chavez fought passively and dumbly, putting in very little effort for much of the contest. Saturday's performance was the type of fight that forces fighters back to the end of the line of title contention. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. no more deserves a rematch than Shane Mosley deserves a rematch against Floyd Mayweather for his two big right hands in their one-sided romp.
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Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. His work can also be found on Fox Sports and The BoxingTribune. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.
Source:
Kevin Iole, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.'s lack of respect comes back to bite him against Sergio Martinez, Yahoo Sports!
