Julio César Chávez Jr. - Sergio "Maravilla" Martínez: Thoughts and Predictions

     Julio César Chávez Jr. versus Sergio "Maravilla" Martínez for the World Middleweight Championship is going to be an epic fight that boxing fans around the world think of as a possible candidate for "The Fight of the Year". Although, the likes of  Chávez Jr., is not that of a world-class caliber prize fighter; It's in the competency between both fighters that compels boxing fans like myself to wonder of what outcome will this fight end. For me personally, I think that this fight can go either ways. For every great fighter to burst out of the boxing scene, we never really recognize them as much until they have managed to reach a stepping stone in their careers as fighters.

     Stepping stones could either be found in winning an Olympic Gold Medal or as grand as beating a Pound for pound fighter. These experiences have defined their character and the skills they carry into the sport of boxing. These great aspects that influence people through breathtaking displays of brilliance each time they step into the squared circle. This maybe the same thing going for the likes of Julio César Chávez Jr., who goes up against the pound for pound superstar in Sergio Martínez. It is not the first time that we've seen a non-ranked fighter to have come out of nowhere to beat someone who is rated to be one of the sports best.

     Let us take Manny Pacquiao for example. Manny Pacquiao was virtually unknown internationally despite being a two-time world champion at that time when he faced Mexico's growing legend, Marco Antonio Barrera. Now, in this fight, I wouldn't have even predicted this way coming. It was unbelievable that Pacquiao would blow the roofs against one of pound for pound's best fighters in the world. I believe Pacquiao's real stepping stone into the big-time was Barrera. In this manner, I can also place Chávez Jr. in the same respect.

     To me, this encounter may almost look like a deja vu. My predictions for this fight is that Sergio "Maravilla" Martínez will KO Julio César Chávez Jr. in any round. This means, that Martínez can go home with an early victory if he decides to do so. It could reach the middle rounds or even the later rounds. It really just depends on what tempo these guys are exhibiting in the early seconds of the fight. Sure, it is also possible that it could go into the judge's scorecards, but my prediction stays solid. I stand by it.

     My final thoughts on this bout is that, Julio César Chávez Jr. is a great fighter, and he has a good chance to beat Martínez. I am not to judge on the several occurences that an underdog would beat a great fighter. It's natural, upsets do happen in regularity. This is the sport of boxing; anything can happen. I would have wanted  Chávez Jr., to try and beat Kelly Pavlik first before facing Martínez. Despite this, who am I to judge? Freddie Roach once wanted Manny Pacquiao to beat Wayne McCollough first, before he fought against Barrera, and look how that fight turned out for him?

     Again, I am just basing my predictions from credentials and statistics which provides accurate predictions following tendencies and probabilities, which we all know, is not really the case when you talk about something like boxing. Even if my blog would happen to cover the Barrera-Pacquiao fight predictions, I would have heavily favored Barrera in this aspect. Thus, from the way this fight is going, in my opinion, it only shows, that this fight is really up for grabs between both contingents. Will Chávez Jr. become his own fighter apart from his father's legendary stature, or will Martínez prove once again why he's considered pound for pound's very best? It really all comes down into who wants it more.

Picture: A poster of boxing's mega-fight between Julio César Chávez Jr. and Sergio "Maravilla" Martínez for the World Middleweight Championship, to be held at the Thomas and Mack Center University in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao - Bradley Predictions

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Manny Pacquiao against Timothy Bradley. What makes this fight so great? Isn't this just a replacement of the supposed Pacquiao - Mayweather fight? For me, personally, I don't think that this will be Manny's greatest opponent that he will ever face, and Timothy Bradley is not in the level of both Pacquiao and his previous opponents. I believe that Manny Pacquiao is just far more gifted than Timothy Bradley. Timothy Bradley may be worthy of a fight against Pacquiao, considering that he is in fact undefeated, number eight pound for pound, and has beaten a few good fighters, but for the most part.. that's just it. Despite his resumé, he owes nothing, Pacquiao will be the first pound for pound ranked fighter he will be facing. The problem is, Manny Pacquiao is on the pinnacle of these rankings.

Skill-wise:

Pacquiao has speed, agility, aggression, stamina, and power. I can compare Bradley's skills almost identical to Pacquiao's speed, agility, aggression, and stamina. What does Bradley lack? You guessed it, its power. Although Bradley's record shows early knock outs in his earlier fights, it never showed up against top competition. Pacquiao knocked out fighters that are so great that you wouldn't think he could. Pacquiao defeats all odds, and that is why he is so special. Stylistically, Timothy Bradley is quite similar to Pacquiao, in terms of aggression and non-stop action.

Thoughts:

I believe this fight will be entertaining. Both fighters will be coming at it until the final bell. (If it reaches there.) For the most part, this will just be another showcase of Manny's talents. Timothy Bradley will stay competitive as long as this fight lasts.

Prediction:

The action will be non-stop. They will be punching so much in every round that perhaps it will break all compu-box records. Expect lots, and lots of punches coming from both fighters. Watch out for head butts, because it always happens in a Timothy Bradley fight, and this occurrence will be highly likely with the match-up of an Orthodox fighter against a Southpaw. They will be brawling in the center of the ring, and this fight, possibly, could be a Fight of the Year candidate. For this reason that they will be hitting each other a lot, I would have to predict that this match will end quickly. Bradley must hold on to his promise of a second fight, because I don't think this match will go the distance in his favor.

I predict Manny Pacquiao knocking out Timothy Bradley in the first half of the fight. This means, it will never go past round six. There is a good possibility that Manny will knock him out in the early rounds too.

Final Comments:

Boxing mindset teaches us that anyone has a chance. Even in tune-up bouts, upsets happen, because it all depends on a fighter, and how much he wants it more. I can see Timothy Bradley's dedication for this fight, and I commend his training, that he describes was "like hell." I think a lot of us can relate to this. When someone is giving his all into something, I tell you, nothing is impossible. Bradley has a darn good chance to pull an upset if he goes into this fight as the fighter that his hard training represents.

Manny Pacquiao is aging considerably. Showing poor performances in his last fights. My theory on Pacquiao may be correct. He could just be, past his prime. He may be religious as a saint, but no miracle can stop him from aging. It is the weakness of all fighters. It is a testimony to our mortality. No great thing lasts forever. For this prediction I will be heavily favoring Manny to win, but if he will ever fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., it will be a different story.

Picture: Top Rank Poster of Manny Pacquiao against Timothy Bradley for a fight on June 9th on MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Mayweather - Ortiz Prediction

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Just a days from now, another super-fight in the great world of boxing will be taking place once again. A fight that determines whether pound for pound is a mere title or a self-proof that greatness, he remains supreme. Floyd Mayweather Jr., the long time pound for pound king, will be facing the up and coming prospect from Garden City, Kansas. Victor "Vicious" Ortiz, known for his relentless style and his boxing prowess. He is a fighter to look up for in the welterweight division. Floyd Mayweather Jr., on the other hand, has already proven himself to be one of the best fighters in the world, if not, the best fighter in the world. His defensive skills had made him invincible in every challenge he faced, including fights with, Arturo Gatti, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, and the list goes on. Ortiz's recent fights include Unanimous decisions from Andre Berto, his draw to Lamont Peterson, and his loss against Marcos Maidana. This is a fight that that the world looks to see. The Mayweather - Ortiz showdown will be held on September 17th 2011.

Prediction:
As a boxing analyst, I will try to weigh down on the ideas and come up with a prediction towards this match. I have seen both fighter's fight. I just have the picture in my mind that this upcoming fight will have the similarities of a Mayweather - Baldomir Fight. Carlos Baldomir does have similarities with Victor Ortiz. I can see Mayweather continuously jabbing Ortiz, as he gets frustrated and makes mistakes that Floyd will capitalize on with his patented right handed counters. Although, Victor Ortiz may seem like a faster and more boxing-smart version of Baldomir, I just feel that he will be chasing Mayweather with no avail, like a bull that charges through a matador. Ortiz's lack of hand and foot speed will greatly put him to a great disadvantage against the pound for pound star.

Early Rounds:
I can see Victor Ortiz favoring well with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the early rounds. Although, Ortiz has stepped into the aggressive fighting style, he will get hit with jabs and countering shots from the Pretty Boy. Victor Ortiz will land glancing right hand shots and a series of combinations to the body and head. Ortiz will get frustrated early, which will make him fatigued as round six approaches.

Middle Rounds:
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will step into his right straight and duck groove, and Ortiz will hit nothing but air, in rounds six and up. Although Ortiz will be aggressive, he will land only two out of six punches thrown This rounds will be reminiscent of the Mayweather - Marquez Fight.

Late Rounds:
Victor Ortiz will look winded and hurt, as Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be landing harder and crisper shots. Going in for the victory, Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be playing it safe and try to win the fight by points. There is a relative chance in these late rounds that Money will be knocking down and finishing Victor.

Conclusion:
I predict Floyd Mayweather Jr. to win by Unanimous Decision on twelve rounds or by Technical knock-out in the late rounds.

Note:
Again, these are only predictions, and anything can happen in a boxing match. Forgive me if I look down on this match and almost giving the fight away to Floyd, because I just can't see Victor Ortiz winning this fight. I mean, from the moment I learned this match will be taking place, I knew it was a mismatch. Victor Ortiz is a big underdog in this match, and  he must do a heck of a miracle to win this. He must prove to skeptics like myself that he can do it, and by then, I will welcome any outcome. This is boxing, and one thing I've learned in this sport, is that everyone has a chance. As long as you believe in yourself, you know you can do it, regardless of any trials that you may stumble across to.

Importance:
I look to this fight as a tune-up fight for Floyd, in order for him to face Manny Pacquiao next year. Floyd, again, if you're reading this, take the fight and make it happen. It's what the world wants to see. I believe you, Floyd and Manny should have an obligation to the sport, in giving us the the fight that the world wants. Don't call it quits just like that. The Pacquiao - Mayweather fight must happen!