Al Bello - Getty Images
Antonio Margarito could be an opponent for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr later this year. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Bob Arum spoke about the future options for WBC middleweight titlist Julio Cesar Chavez Jr with RingTV.com, and did name Sergio Martinez as a potential opponent in the (near?) future:
"I think that certainly if Chavez keeps going at the high pace at which he's going, I think that I would like to do a Martinez fight by the end of the year," said Arum.
"In other words, I would probably do a fight in early April or early May for Chavez on HBO, and then, maybe a fight against Margarito. And then Martinez."
So Arum is trying to sell us on the idea that he'll have Chavez fight four times this year. It could happen, I guess. If he takes no punishment against Marco Antonio Rubio on Saturday, then a three-month turnaround into a May fight is doable. I don't know exactly what opponent they think they'd have there, but HBO appears pretty willing to let Top Rank throw Chavez onto the air against any number of no-name opponents, so it may not matter.
The fight with Antonio Margarito, I guess for this summer, makes all the sense in the world financially, but it's a crap fight. Margarito is no middleweight, he's shot, and he has one eye. I just can't see Margarito, a huge welterweight and average junior middleweight, going up to 160 and dealing with a guy who weighs 180 pounds on fight night. It's not like he can punch anymore or anything.
As for Martinez, it's all talk until someone actually does anything. Fact is this interview will be largely forgotten if the time actually comes that Martinez and Chavez truly must fight, or they can just say it doesn't make sense because Martinez isn't worth money, etc. Martinez is currently slated to fight Matthew Macklin on March 17.
I do like this part from Arum regarding Chavez fights against Miguel Cotto or Canelo Alvarez:
"The problem with Cotto and Alvarez is that they want to have Chavez come down to a ridiculously low weight," said Arum. "That's just not possible. He's happy to do it, but he can't. Every time that I see him, the kid is getting taller. He's bigger than Rubio."
He's been bigger than Rubio for a while now, and you know, given that Chavez is 25 and Arum is 80, I think what may be happening is not Chavez getting taller, but Arum shrinking.
0 recs | 18 comments
I guess someone forgot to tell the boxing public...
.. that Chavez Jr is going at a high pace. LOL.
That line is just “wow”
jerranamo - January 30, 2012
I think Arum just means he fights a lot, which…kinda. Three times last year, would have been four if that date with Ronald Hearns wasn’t a sham from day one.
Scott Christ - January 30, 2012
I can agree in that aspect then.. he is definitly in the ring more so then other fighters.
BTW, keep up the good work on the site. Im a regular visitor and its a great boxing outlet for news.
jerranamo - January 30, 2012
+1
This great website got me into boxing not too long ago. I’ve found myself Wikipediaing more and more every week. Thanks Scott, keep up the great articles!
In Rainbows - January 30, 2012
Ugh.
I do kind of admire the interpretation that Top Rank gives to ‘Chavez must fight Martinez next’.
Mind you, I’m sure that the WBC will find a way allow the fight and HBO would buy it. Margarito would do well to last more than 3 rounds with Chavez.
Eoin_not_ian - January 30, 2012
Does a Margarito fight take place in Mexico?
RRod806 - January 30, 2012 via iPhone app
Maybe?
Scott Christ - January 30, 2012
damn! margo getting another payday..smh
Vicmatic1 - January 30, 2012
In a perfect situation
I’d like to see him tested by cleaning the middleweight division or go down in flames doing it. But what promoter in their right mind would do that?
honorablecbm - January 30, 2012 via iPhone app
If Antonio Margarito is coherent in 20, 25 years, it will be surprising.
El Destruyo - January 30, 2012
Poor guy has been used up since his fight with Sugar Shane
honorablecbm - January 30, 2012 via iPhone app
It’s surprising he can still tie his shoes today.
Clove_art - January 30, 2012
Yeah poor him, cashing multi-million dollar paychecks for fights he didn’t earn in a sport he probably should have been banned from. Damn, he’s got it rough. If only they’d just let him beat on Mosley’s face with loaded gloves. What coulda been.
Scott Christ - January 30, 2012
SMH.. He's done & Shane's done
honorablecbm - January 31, 2012 via iPhone app
Honestly, I think Margarito should wear his special pads against Chavez. It’s his only chance.
Apprentice - January 30, 2012
I’m glad Cotto/Chavez seems to be losing traction. Canelo should pick up a belt at 160 (that’s not such a difficult thing to do, right?) and then have Cotto/Canelo at 160 so that Cotto could realistically become the first PR 4 division champ. I don’t mean to say that Chavez is better than Canelo, but Chavez is just too damned big. Cotto/Canelo makes more sense because Canelo probably wouldn’t tower over Cotto.
Apprentice - January 30, 2012
what about hector camacho? hes frm pr.
by the time canelo n cotto fight canelo will be in his prime about 25 n cotto will be on his way out at 36. i easily pick canelo to send him into retirement.
el javi - January 30, 2012 via Android app
What about Camacho? He didn’t win championships in 4 divisions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9ctor_Camacho#Major_professional_championships
I agree that if the fight takes a long time, Canelo will probably win. But if they do it soon, I don’t see Canelo beating Cotto.
Apprentice - January 30, 2012
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