February 3, 2014 – HBO Boxing presents “Road to Chavez Jr./Vera II,” an exhilarating special examining the upcoming super middleweight rematch between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Bryan Vera. The duo engaged in a no-holds barred battle last September, which emerged as one of the year’s most highly-debated outcomes. On Saturday, March 1, the Alamodome in San Antonio will showcase the hotly anticipated rematch, televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®.

The “Road to Chavez Jr./Vera II” special will premiere Monday, February 17 at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. It will revisit the high drama from their first bout last September in Carson, CA, as well as providing all-new content, including portraits of both fighters’ journey to this significant showdown on boxing’s leading television platform.

On September 28, 2013, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (47-1-1, 32 KOs) defeated Bryan Vera (23-7, 14 KOs) in a hotly-debated ten-round decision. Originally slated at the 168-pound mark, Chavez Jr. had weight issues, prompting his team to make a deal with Vera’s team to raise the limit to 173 pounds. Vera fought valiantly, but Chavez was awarded a unanimous decision by the judges at ringside, triggering demands for an immediate rematch.

The 15-minute special will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the series.

Other HBO playdates: February 19 (9:15 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.), 22 (11:00 p.m.), 23 (9:45 a.m.), 25 (3:20 a.m. & 11:45 a.m.), 27 (4:30 p.m.), 28 (1:00 a.m.), and March 1 (12:15 p.m.).

HBO2 playdates: February 18 (7:45 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.), 22 (7:15 p.m.), 23 (3:20 a.m. & 4:15 p.m.) 24 (1:15 a.m. & 2:15 p.m.), 26 (10:35 a.m. & 10:15 p.m.) and 27 (11:45 p.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

SAN ANTONIO – Thursday, Mexican “Son of the Legend” Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. strode across the Alamodome stage to a podium that would conceal, for once, a fairly lean version of Junior, a version of him that surprisingly looked within 20 pounds of his next match’s contracted fighting weight, six weeks out, a match that will be a rematch with Austin’s Bryan Vera, a man who likely deserved a better result than what he received in September and will more than likely deserve better than the savage beating he collects March 1.

“And thank you, Texas,” Chavez said in accented English, to close. “Because this my home too.”

Chavez appeared chastened. Years back, Argentine Sergio Martinez, incensed his WBC belt was unfastened from his waste and bestowed upon Chavez by the late Jose Sulaiman – a man ever more beloved in Mexico, for codifying the country’s importance in prizefighting, than in the United States – arrived at a postfight press conference in Houston after Chavez beat up and beat down Peter Manfredo who, personably enough, indulged bystanders’ curious requests to hear him say “fugettaboutit” after he was stopped and announced a stop to his career (a retirement that lasted, stereotypically enough, nary a twelvemonth), to challenge Chavez in his finest hour, and Martinez was uncharacteristically dismissive too. He asked rhetorically if he wouldn’t knock Chavez out easily. At the time it seemed quite probable.

Fewer than 10 months later, Chavez nearly ended Martinez’s reign as a world champion, coming preposterously close to becoming the linear middleweight champion, affixing himself to a bloodline of Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Carlos Monzon and Sugar Ray Robinson and Harry Greb, in a fight that changed both men, shortening Martinez’s career and the lucid years of Chavez’s life. Lost in the justifiable contempt aficionados reserve for Chavez is any consideration for the consequences of the sustained whupping he took from Martinez’s fists, and the incredible number of punches he took square and unmolested to his cranium – each punch nearly the force of what single blow put Paul Williams prostrate on a blue mat in Atlantic City.

Chavez wishes to be taken seriously, by himself and others, one hears from men who should know, and certainly should know better if it is not so – men who’ve seen, fallen victim to, or perpetrated, every hustle yet known in our beloved sport. Chavez does take boxing seriously, they say. If this is so, and again some suspension of disbelief is required, he may now be suffering from a combination of genetics and a damaged brain.

Boxing has rarely come upon a more naturally unsympathetic figure than Chavez; Adrien Broner and Floyd Mayweather, of course, have as large a percentage of attendees at their matches cheering their demise, yes, but those men worked hard to cultivate odious public personalities, and those men, too, remain for the most part popular within their own ethnicity. Chavez, conversely, now holds a unique place in boxing’s landscape as a man who, through no overt effort of his own – through no detectable effort of any kind, one might say – has transformed an entire ethnic enclave, Mexican-American, from a default sort of projected affection, the son of my hero is my friend, to another thing entirely. Chavez is aware of this even without his father reminds him, though Chavez Sr. appears the kind of dad who might be willing to grunt just such a suggestion to a filial epigone like Junior, privately.

Senior’s popularity has a variety of sources, but an occasionally overlooked one is historical: Mexico collapsed in an epic sort of way in 1994 – and such a collapse injured cruelly a proud and surprisingly innocent country, one whose residents, when called upon by their government to help La Patria recover its economic footing, sent gifts and sundries varied as live chickens to Mexico City – and for the next number of years, Chavez Sr. was, as one Mexican journalist put it at what became Chavez Sr.’s final fight, “the only thing that went right for us.” Junior was a part of that Mexico more than Americans, and most Mexicans, care to realize.

Watch the ringwalk that preceded Chavez Sr.’s worst professional moment to that point, his official draw in 1993 with Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker, a singular boxer whom shot commentator Ferdie Pacheco continued to call “Peewee” through the pay-per-view broadcast. Who sits atop one of the entourage’s shoulders, looking down on his father while the legend sings along to the Mexican national anthem before a record-setting crowd in this city’s then-four-month-old Alamodome? It is Junior’s unmistakable chubby-cheeked visage one sees, a face portending a lifetime of weight struggles regardless of profession, spreading tentatively beneath a red headband like his dad’s.

“Son of the Legend” has been part of boxing his entire life, the number of those memories a fair auditor would call euphoric barely outnumbering those classifiable as euphoria’s opposite, and he understands, as Freddie Roach recognized in the first week as his trainer, “the geometry of the ring.” He probably believes he beat Bryan Vera in September, potshotting him the way Sergio Martinez amassed a lopsided lead on Chavez himself the year before, and knowing, as television didn’t show, Chavez’s punches were many times harder and flusher than Vera’s. He also knows how many people hold him in contempt and knows he now deserves it in a way he probably did not before. He is much better than Bryan Vera, and if he is motivated and conditioned – and again, he appeared reasonably trim Thursday – he may put a tragic type of beating on Vera, who for all his activity, is not nearly strong or elusive enough to dissuade Chavez in an emergency.

For once Texas should not worry about judges but ringside medical officials willing to intervene if Vera’s corner comports itself too courageously on March 1.

Bart Barry can be reached via bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 16, 2014) — On the heels of their controversial collision which resulted in a hotly disputed decision, former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion and Son of the Legend JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR. and Top-Five contender and two-fisted Texan BRYAN VERA will square off in a 12-round super middleweight battle in a rematch to settle their score once and for all. This time Vera will enjoy the home court advantage when they meet, Saturday, March 1, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. Chávez Jr. vs. Vera II will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with two-time Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist and 2013 Prospect of the Year, VASYL LOMACHENKO, in only his second professional bout, challenging World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion ORLANDO SALIDO.

The non-televised undercard will feature former World Lightweight Champion JUAN DIAZ, of Houston, looking to extend his three-fight winning streak as he attempts to return to the top of the lightweight division after a three-year hiatus from boxing.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate, tickets to Chávez vs. Vera II go on sale This Friday! January 17 at Noon CT. Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased at the Alamodome box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000.

The first Chávez Jr.-Vera fight took place on September 28, 2013, at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. It was action-packed from the opening bell, with Vera giving a career-best performance. The Texan outlanded Chávez Jr. in overall punches while the former world champion connected with the heavier artillery. The judges scored it unanimously for Chávez Jr., a decision that was met with disbelief by fans and media. And thus a rematch was born.

“Chávez Jr. will return to the ring to fight Vera, coming off that controversial decision last September in California,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “Chávez Jr. agreed to do this rematch because of the nature of their first fight. We will also have on this card the great Olympian Vasyl Lomachenko, who will challenge defending WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido.”

“We are looking forward to this opportunity to right a wrong that happened to Bryan in his last bout against Chávez Jr. on September 28 in California,” said Arthur Pelullo, president of Banner Promotions. “Bryan fought like a warrior and was denied the victory — not by Chávez Jr. but by the judges. As impossible as it seems, Bryan has been working even harder in the gym to get the win on March 1. I am looking forward to a great event.”

“At times, when a fight’s drama ends in controversy, fans deserve a rematch to write a conclusive final act. On March 1, Chávez Jr.-Vera II will begin in San Antonio’s Alamodome where the last bell of their first slugfest left us in California,” said Peter Nelson, director of programming, HBO Sports. “Opening the HBO show is a fascinating fight pitting professional experience against amateur virtuosity, when three-time world champion Orlando Salido faces two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko, who hopes to usurp Salido’s featherweight title in only his second bout after Lomachenko declared his ascension to the professional ranks.”

“It will be another tough fight with Vera, but I expect that I will be much better this time around,” Chávez told ESPN Deportes in a recent interview. “The long-layoff hurt me in the first fight, so I expect to be at my best this second time. I know I can do much better than the first time and I owe the fans a much better performance and that is what they will get when we meet on March 1 in San Antonio.”

“I am looking forward to the rematch with Chávez,” said Vera. “I know the fans want to see us fight again. especially after my very controversial loss to him. I lost on the very “questionable” scorecards, but to the fans, I was the winner. I’ve gained a lot of fans after the first fight. I am coming ready to fight and am set on a victory in my home state of Texas. I’ll be ready. You can count on that.”

Chávez Jr. (47-1-1, 32 KOs), of Culiacán, México, will be making his 2014 debut in his first fight in San Antonio in over two years. He captured the WBC middleweight crown in 2011, winning a majority decision over undefeated interim world champion Sebastian Zbik at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Chávez Jr. successfully defended his title three times during his 15-month reign, knocking out Andy Lee and Peter Manfredo, Jr. in the seventh and fifth rounds, respectively, and winning a unanimous decision over two-time world title challenger Marco Antonio Rubio. His thrilling world title loss to Sergio Martinez at their Méxican Independence Day spectacular on September 15, 2012 was the highest-attended boxing event in the history of the Thomas & Mack Center, with 19,186, topping the record set by the heavyweight championship rematch between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, which drew 19,151 in 1999.

Vera (23-7, 14 KOs), of Austin, TX, entered his first fight with Chávez, Jr. having won six of his last seven bouts and riding a 16-month, four-bout winning streak. Vera’s hot streak included NABO middleweight title victories over Sergio Mora, former world champion Sergeii Dzinziruk, and Donatas Bondoravas, with the last two victories coming by way of knockout. Vera, who trains in Houston with Ronnie Shields, is currently world-rated No. 5 by the WBO.

Salido (40-12-2, 28 KOs), of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, México, completed a hat trick last year by winning a world featherweight title for the third time. He captured the vacant WBO featherweight title by knocking out No. 1 contender Orlando Cruz in the seventh round of their September 12, 2013 fight. Salido captured his first world title in his third attempt. After a No Decision to Robert Guerrero in 2006 and a split decision loss to Cristobal Cruz in 2008, Salido finally captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title in 2010, avenging his loss to Cruz by winning a split decision. His title reign was short-lived, losing a unification fight to World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa later that same year. Salido bounced back in a big way, stopping undefeated WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez in the eighth round in 2011 to capture his second world championship crown. Salido successfully defended that title twice, knocking out Kenichi Yamaguchi and Lopez in a rematch during his two-year reign, before losing it to Mikey Garcia last January. He enters this title defense having won six of his last seven fights by knockout.

Two-time Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Lomachenko (1-0, 1 KO) jumped into the deep end of boxing’s international-sized swimming pool when he made his professional debut in a 10-round featherweight bout against the WBO’s No. 7-rated featherweight contender Jose Luis Ramirez last September 12. It didn’t take Lomachenko long to take to the water. He knocked out Ramirez (24-2-2, 15 KOs) in the fourth round to become the new WBO International featherweight champion. He ended the year as the WBO’s No. 5 world-rated featherweight contender as well as being proclaimed the 2013 “Prospect of the Year” by the majority of the major boxing media.. Lomachenko first gained international renown by winning gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Games as a featherweight and a lightweight, respectively. Known for his all-out aggressive style of boxing, Lomachenko is equally aggressive in plotting his professional boxing plan to a world title where he insisted on making his pro debut in a 10-round bout against a seasoned Top-10 rated contender where a victory could propel him to a world title shot in his next fight.

Diaz (38-4, 19 KOs) will continue his comeback bid in the featured bout, scheduled for 10 rounds at the lightweight class, on the non-televised undercard. Diaz captured the WBA lightweight title in 2004, winning a unanimous decision over Lakva Sim. .During his four-year reign he unified the lightweight titles with knockout victories over Acelino Freitas and Julio Diaz, the respective WBO and IBF champions . After a three-year hiatus, Diaz, 30, returned to the ring wars last year and has fashioned a three-bout winning streak with two of those victories coming by way of knockout.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 14, 2014) — Former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion and Son of the Legend JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR., his opponent, Top-Five contender and tough Texan BRYAN VERA,Houston’s former World Lightweight Champion JUAN DIAZ, Hall of Fame Promoter BOB ARUM, Zanfer Promotions’FERNANDO BELTRAN, two-time heavyweight champion GEORGE FOREMAN and ARTHUR PELULLO,President of Banner Promotions, will host a news conference announcing the eagerly-awaited rematch — Chávez Jr. vs. Vera II — This Thursday! January 16, in the Alamodome (Stadium Floor – South end.) Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. CT with the news conference beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT.

The press conference will be open to the public.

Media may park in Lot A, located at the South side of the Alamodome, and enter through the tunnel entrance at the arena’s South side near the back loading dock.

Chávez (47-1-1, 32 KOs), of Culiacán, México, making his 2014 debut in his first fight in San Antonio in over two years, and Vera (23-7, 14 KOs), of Austin, TX, will go mano a mano again in a super middleweight bout that both combatants vow will settle the score from their controversial September 28, 2013 fistic debate which was won by Chávez Jr. Chávez Jr. vs. Vera II will be televised live from the Alamodome, Saturday, March 1 on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with two-time Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist and 2013 Prospect of the Year, VASYL LOMACHENKO (1-0, 1 KO), in only his second professional bout, challenging World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion ORLANDO SALIDO (40-12-2, 28 KOs), of México. Diaz (38-4, 19 KOs) will continue his comeback bid in the featured bout on the non-televised undercard.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate, tickets to Chávez vs. Vera II go on sale This Friday! January 17, at Noon CT. Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased at the Alamodome box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo,facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing , and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

Operator – Welcome to the Bryan Vera conference call. I will now turn the call over to your host, Marc Abrams.

Mr. Marc Abrams – Hello, everyone, from the media. I thank everyone for joining us today. We’re having a special conference call with Bryan Vera in the wake of last Saturday night’s fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. that was at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, which was the largest–the most viewed fight on cable television this year in 2013. And obviously there’s been a lot of controversy about the decision. So, we’re going to rehash a little bit of that. And obviously people have read maybe in the last couple of days that there’s already been some rumblings about a possible rematch. So, we have Bryan on the call along with his trainer, trainer of champions, Ronnie Shields and promoter Art Pelullo of Banner Promotions, and he can shed a lot of stuff on that. So, let me turn it over to the CEO and President of Banner Promotions, Art Pelullo.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Hi, guys. Who’s on the call?

Mr. Marc Abrams – We’ll find that out in a minute.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Okay. The bottom line is I thank everybody for calling in. Where we’re at now is this is for you guys to ask your questions about Bryan and what the future holds for him. We are talking to Bob. We are talking to HBO about a December date. And should they not be financially in a position to pay for this event, Bob and I are discussing a pay per view event for December. So, outside of that, I think everybody wants to hear from Bryan and Ronnie. So, I’ll just listen in the background till there’s a question.

Mr. Marc Abrams – Bryan, you want to make any opening statements?

Mr. Bryan Vera – No, I’m good, man. Just–I’m ready to answer any kind of questions you have for me.

Mr. Marc Abrams – Okay, Ronnie?

Mr. Ronnie Shields – I just want to say that everybody saw the fight. This fight deserves a rematch because Bryan did win the fight. And I just think everybody, especially all the press, I think you guys need to put it out there that there should be a rematch.

Mr. Marc Abrams – Okay. I guess, operator, we’re ready for questions.

Operator – The line’s now open for questions. If you would like to ask a question, you may do so by pressing star and then one on your telephone keypad, that’s star and then the number one. We do have a question from the line of Brian Fogg with Leave it in the RinG. Your line is live.

Mr. Brian Fogg – Hi. A quick question here kind of for all three of you actually. Going into the 10th round and after the 10th round you guys were all celebrating. You seemed pretty sure of the decision. I guess what was going through your head right before you heard it?

Mr. Marc Abrams – Bryan?

Mr. Bryan Vera – Yeah, for me, I thought Iwon. I was a little bit worried [unintelligible] me and Ronnie [unintelligible] corner where we’re very happy with the way things were going. So, we–I thought for sure we had it man.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – Well, for me–.

Mr. Brian Fogg – –Ronnie, what do you think?

Mr. Ronnie Shields – –Yes. For me, I was happy because Bryan followed the game plan to a tee. I couldn’t ask him to do no more than what he did that night. And right after the fight though, I had my suspicions. I really did. But, I told Bryan, “No matter what the decision is, he won the fight.” I say, “No matter what the decision is you won the fight.” And–but always in the back of my mind–I’ve been through this so many times with Pernell Whitaker and Chavez Senior, with Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya, with Erislandy Lara and Paul Williams. So, nothing surprised me. But, this was really a blowout by Bryan Vera. And for them to give Julio Jr. a unanimous decision was–it was really ludicrous.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Just to add what Ronnie and Bryan said, he clearly won the fight. In the 10th round, I was sitting with Josh from my office. The bottom line is that he’s a powerful kid. And I knew that if the 10th round went the way we thought it would Bryan would win a unanimous decision. Never thought in my mind that it would so erroneous the scores and so bizarre. I mean, even to this day people are talking about the scores. Even Bob Arum, who promoted the other guy, who has to say–who promoted Chavez. He says, “Well, it was a close fight. Six, four, I call it even.” Even he says that Marty Denkin was off and so was Gwen. I mean, Gwen she’s just bizarre. I mean, she shouldn’t be judging anymore. But, in the meantime where we’re going from here is a rematch and everybody wants to see it. And I understand that Marc Abrams took a poll. There was 60 reporters, 56 saw Bryan win and four saw a draw and nobody saw Chavez winning. So, clearly it’s a bad situation for boxing because it has to be rectified. The only way it gets rectified is another fight in Texas in the state where Bryan’s from. That’s where it’s at right now so far.

Operator – As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question, you may do so by pressing star and then one on your telephone keypad. We do have a question from the line of Lem Satterfield with RingTV.com. Your line is live.

Mr. Lem Satterfield – Yeah. Artie, how you doing?

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Hey, Lem. I’m good, bud.

Mr. Lem Satterfield – Hey, I talked to your buddy, Joe DeGuardia, and I actually talked to Lantle [sp]. You just mentioned where do we go from here. How much pressure in your mind–and I don’t know if you’ve talked to Joe. How much pressure is on the judges in Florida in that fight in particular with Cotto-Rodriguez, which is very similar in my mind to this one where Chavez was the A side and Cotto is the A side. Do you see rightly or wrongly there being any pressure on that situation?

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Well, let me just say this to you. You would hope that they would play it straight. I mean, you would hope that they would see the fight, who’s winning the fight and not who’s supposed to win the fight, but you don’t know, Lem, because look what happens. C.J. Ross has–can never withdrawal. So, you would have thought the officials–she gets–she’s forced to resign. You would have thought the officials in California would have taken a page out of what’s going on in Nevada and played it the right way and saw the winner, because he won the fight, not because they wanted to see a certain guy win the fight or have a preconceived idea who won the fight before the event actually took place. So, to answer your question, I have no idea. I have no idea, because part of the problem is with our industry is that the officials are not held accountable for their action. There is no suspension in place. There’s no fines. There’s no review. All of the commissions they stand by their officials right or wrong, which is wrong. I’m a licensed fight promoter. Should I make a mistake, should there be a problem, there are repercussions for me, but there’s nobody that holds the officials accountable. Very few times does anybody say, “Hey, you were wrong. You’re suspended. You’re fined and whatever.” And that’s the basic problem of the officiating, because they’re not held accountable to anybody. So, what they do and as they do it it’s not brought under scrutiny. And what happened in Nevada Keith Kiser got in trouble because he stood by the official blindly, instead of saying nothing and seeing how it played out. He got in trouble with his governor. So, the answer to your question, I have no clue what’s going to happen in Florida. I don’t know the people who are appointing. And you would hope that what goes on in Florida will be a lot better than what happened in California.

Mr. Lem Satterfield – Okay, now let me–along those lines really even though you’re going to Texas, and I’d like Bryan–is he–Bryan on the line?

Mr. Marc Abrams – Yeah, Bryan’s here.

Mr. Lem Satterfield – Okay, this is for you, Bryan, and for Ronnie. Really even though you’re going to Texas you don’t know what’s going to happen. So, my question is, Bryan, Ronnie, Artie, how do each of you go through a whole promotion, a whole training camp, not knowing for sure whether (A) Chavez is going to come in at the weight he’s supposed to and (B) you’re going to get what you perceive to be a fair shake? Starting with Bryan, how do you put this all behind you?

Mr. Bryan Vera – Obviously, you just go get ready. You don’t really put it behind you, but I’m not going to just stop boxing and give up because of what happened. I’m going to go back and get with Ronnie and get with those guys and talk to Artie. And like Ronnie was telling me earlier, we got to make sure there’s stipulations in the contracts before we sign everything that there’s real punishments, not these little punishments that he can afford, like what he got last time. I mean, we got to put real punishments to where he’s [unintelligible] to not do these things. You know what I mean? And as far as the judges and everything, I mean I don’t know really how to control that. I just know that we have to control Chavez, make sure he comes to the final weight. And I got to let Ronnie and let Artie and Dave Watson, let them guys handle that. And I got to go back to camp and get ready.

Mr. Lem Satterfield – Ronnie?

Mr. Ronnie Shields – Yes, I think that we can’t worry about the judges. The most important thing is to get Bryan ready. Get him in great shape again and go over the game plan again. And there’s always some stuff that we can go back and change up just a little bit from the last fight. But, as far as the weight is concerned, I think the next time we have to put in the contract that if he doesn’t make weight it’s going to cost him half a million dollars, simple as that, and I think that that’s only fair. This guy walks away with a lot of money, but he tried to dictate everything. He dictated the weight. He dictated the cancellations and all of this stuff. And Bryan he just had to sit back and wait until the fight happened. And when the fight did happen Bryan just did what he was supposed to do and he won the fight. So, I think this next fight come up then they have to abide by the rules or there’s not going to be a fight.

Mr. Lem Satterfield – Artie, is there anymore pressure on you? Is there anymore pressure on you right now to make it a more–have more control in the situation? What’s your thought?

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Well, I agree with everything that Ronnie and Bryan said. Control’s very difficult now. The way you do it is like they said, you put things in the contract, and he has to live up to what he signs. At the end of the day it depends on how much he wants to be a fighter. I mean–and they’re right, about the officiating, I’m going to go down there early. If everything goes in place and we get the rematch, I’m going to go down there early. I’ll talk to the Texas Commission. I want to have input on who the officials will be as far as–you’re not allowed to have–input who you want, but you can strike people. I’ll get more involved with that as well. But, at the end of the day you can’t control a human being. You can put it in a contract what he’s supposed to do. And whether he lives up to that is a different story altogether. I can’t control my children. I mean–and they love me. So, how am I going to control anybody else?

Mr. Lem Satterfield – Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – You got it.

Mr. Lem Satterfield – Thanks for having the call.

Operator – Our next question comes from the line of Brendan Montenegro with roundbyroundboxing.com. Your line is live.

Mr. Brendan Montenegro – Hey, Bryan, how’s everything? My question is as far as weight limit, you started off at one weight and it was changed a few times after that. Are you looking to push it if you do get the rematch to stay at 168 or would you do like a medium of 170 and leave it at that, no if and or buts? And the other question is do you feel that the CompuBox numbers were right that you only landed 176 out of 734 punches compared to his 125 out of 328?

Mr. Bryan Vera – You asking me?

Mr. Brendan Montenegro – Yeah–.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – –That question’s for you, Bryan.

Mr. Brendan Montenegro – Yeah, Bryan.

Mr. Bryan Vera – I don’t even know about the CompuBox punches. I felt like I landed a lot of punches. But, as far as the weight, yeah, he has to be at 168. I think Ronnie agrees with that as well, I believe. I think that we have to make him weigh 168. I have no business fighting at 170 or over 170. I come in at 60 to fight to 68. So, I don’t see why I am fighting at 171.

Mr. Brendan Montenegro – Do you feel you lost a little power moving up or you’re just not comfortable at that weight and you feel that 168 is the max for you?

Mr. Bryan Vera – No, I just feel like it’s their problem. Obviously, I’m bigger and stronger than everybody at 60–a lot of people at 60, but at 168 I also feel strong. But, when we started going over there I’m dealing with a heavyweight–come down and fight like a heavyweight. I mean, for me, I’m trying to make more sense of my career and trying to make a fair playing field. So, I’m thinking 168 is the limit.

Mr. Brendan Montenegro – All right, thank you.

Operator – Our next question comes from the line of Norm Frauenheim with 15 Rounds. Your line is live.

Mr. Norm Frauenheim – Hi, Artie. I got one question for you. In your talks for the rematch did Bob say that he talked to Julio Jr.? And what’s your sense on whether–I mean given his unreliability through this and prior fights, what do you think the chances are that Julio Jr. will agree to a rematch?

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Bob did talk to junior. He said he was interested in a rematch. And I think he needs to do it, because his own fan base is giving him a hard time. I mean, there are many reports down in Mexico that they’re disappointed with him. He didn’t win the fight. He got a gift. And in that world down there it’s very important to be macho, to be standup, and they’re telling him for him to rematch himself. So, I actually think the rematch is very good–a very good chance to come forward. There’s no fights for him right now between now and the end of the year or January or February. Other guys are tied up. So, this would also help us get the rematch.

Mr. Norm Frauenheim – Okay, okay. How about–what do you think, Ronnie? You think he’ll agree to it?

Mr. Ronnie Shields – I think he will agree to it. I mean, I think he–I think he’s on the spot right now. If he don’t agree to it that means he know he can’t beat Bryan, simple as that. If you was a confident fighter–and you could blame it on whatever he want to blame it on, but he know he lost. In his heart he knows he lost that fight. And that’s probably why he won’t take him if he doesn’t agree to it.

Mr. Norm Frauenheim – All right, thanks, fellows. Good luck on that.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – You got it.

Operator – Our next question comes from the line of Steve Gallegos with thetitlefight.com. Your line is live.

Mr. Steve Gallegos – Bryan, how you are today, buddy?

Mr. Bryan Vera – Doing great. How are you?

Mr. Steve Gallegos – Very good. Man, hey, great performance. Man, you definitely won that fight. Yeah, Chavez definitely got the gift. And during the fight, especially in the later rounds, particularly the 9th, Chavez did what boxings [sp] version of what flopping is. And obviously Lou Moret had no–was having no part of that. Overall based on the bad officiating, how would you guys rate Lou Moret’s refereeing performance?

Mr. Bryan Vera – For me being [unintelligible], he did a great job. He took no points away because he knew what I was doing was fair. And I think he knew that Chavez was complaining a lot and doing it because he didn’t want to be in there. He was getting roughed up and complaining because he could, but I thought the referee did a great job.

Mr. Steve Gallegos – Absolutely–.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – –The referee was terrific. Lou made him fight and didn’t take any guff from him about all his complaining about the low blows and the head butts. Lou was terrific. He let them become–he let them fight, and the kid didn’t want to fight. He was moaning and groaning the whole night long.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – Yeah, I think–.

Mr. Steve Gallegos – –Yeah, absolutely–.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – –He was looking for help. He was looking for help the whole night long. He knew he was losing these rounds, and he was looking for the referee to try to take a point away from Bryan. And everything Bryan threw was legal. He didn’t do nothing illegal. Chavez was trying to use his head. I mean, he was trying to put up all stops. He was looking for help. He got help from the judges, but not from the referee.

Mr. Steve Gallegos – Yeah, absolutely. I didn’t see no dirty play, no elbows, no low shot. In fact his trunks looked very high as well. So, yeah, absolutely. And basically with the high Nielsen ratings and the controversial decision, if a rematch goes forward do you guys feel that you have leverage in negotiating a higher purse on Bryan’s end?

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Most definitely. Most definitely. Because, he’s going to have to make less and Bryan’s going to have to make more. So–and then–and we’re dealing with that as things go along, but most definitely.

Mr. Steve Gallegos – Okay. And, Bryan, you looked very comfortable at the higher weight. Even though you had to come in at 173 you looked sharp. You didn’t look like that it was too much for you. I mean, you’re used to fighting right around 160. Do you think you’re going to stay at super middleweight from here on out or are you going to go back down to 160?

Mr. Bryan Vera – I mean, I always–I talk to Ronnie, talk to those guys after we–after the next fight, but most likely if we go back to 60 where there’s a lot more Opportunity the full weight class there’s a lot of good talent and a lot of big fights. So, I’ll get with those guys and we’ll figure it out.

Mr. Steve Gallegos – Okay. Well, that’s all the questions I have today. Thanks, Artie. Thanks, Ronnie. Thanks, Bryan, for having this conference call, kind of addressing some of the issues of the fight. And you all have a good one. Good luck the next time out.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – Thank you–.

Mr. Bryan Vera – –Thanks.

Operator – Our next question comes from the line of Karl Freitag with Fight News. Your line is live.

Mr. Karl Freitag – Hello. I was wondering the decision to cut the fight from 12 to 10 rounds was that–looking in retrospect do you think that was a good decision considering Bryan seemed to have a lot more energy at the end of the fight?

Mr. Ronnie Shields – Yes, I think it was a good decision, because, look, Chavez, I’m telling you, he was 200 pounds–easily 200 pounds. And I know Bryan. I know what kind of condition he was in. He was in great condition, but I know coming down the stretch that Chavez was going to try to put his weight on him, and he was going to try to be fitting down on a lot of his shots. So, I didn’t want to take the chance. I know Bryan was faster than him regardless, but still at the rate Bryan was throwing punches on a big guy like that. And people have to understand Bryan’s power was still there, but Chavez was able to assault more because of how big he was. And I still hear the same question, “Well, when Chavez hit him he [unintelligible] Bryan.” Well, if a 200 pound man hit you, he’s going to rock you every time, but he only hit Bryan with a couple good shots that kind of made Bryan go back a little bit, but at the same time Bryan worked him. Bryan threw over 700 punches in this fight and that’s a lot of punches for a super middleweight, let alone a guy that’s had to fight at a light heavyweight. I mean, look at the light heavyweight average. Go and look at the light heavyweight average and look at what Bryan did and you’ll see why I cut it down to 10 rounds.

Mr. Karl Freitag – Before the fight did you look at the officials and give any thought considering that like Gwen Adair’s 80 and Marty Denkin’s 79? Was that a consideration to complain or was there even an option because this wasn’t a title fight?

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Who’s that addressed to?

Mr. Karl Freitag – Anybody on the Vera team.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Well, first of all, they didn’t appoint the officials until Friday. Second of all it’s impossible to replace them unless you have cause. So, the answer to that is there’s nothing you can do unless you have enough time and you have to have cause to replace them.

Mr. Karl Freitag – Yeah. Okay. And you’re talking about doing this fight in Texas. I know Chavez has a history in Texas. He wasn’t tested after one of his fights and that led to some situation. Would–do you consider Texas to be a neutral ground or more Chavez territory or more Vera territory?

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Well, if you’re asking–Bryan, why don’t you answer that first, and then I’ll take it, and then you and Ronnie go first.

Mr. Bryan Vera – I mean, for me, I think it’s more my territory. Obviously it depends on where it is, too. San Antonio he has a lot of people, but I’m right here in Austin right down the street. So, I don’t know. I mean, the judging–I seem to be all right with the judges over here. [Unintelligible] gives a fair shake. And I mean you can never tell with them but I think it gives me more of an advantage that we’re here in Texas for sure.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – And if you’re asking me, I think that, like I said earlier in the conversation, I would go to Texas and sit down with them and see what’s going on and who they would appoint and have a little bit better handle in it. I don’t think Dickie Cole, who is the–like their Executive Director wants to be in a position to be criticized that the fight would be another scandal like it was in California.

Mr. Karl Freitag – Okay, great. Thanks very much.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – You got it.

Operator – Our next question comes from the line of David Greisman with boxingscene.com. Your line is live.

Mr. David Griesman – Actually, my questions have already been asked. Thank you.

Operator – Our next question comes from the line of James Myer [sp] with Tha Boxing Voice. Your line is live. James Myer, your line is live.

Mr. James Myer – Sorry, about that. I was on mute. But, anyway, this question is for Bryan and Ronnie. I just wanted to know if you guys have gone back and scored the fight? And if so, have you guys–did you guys see anything, any actual footage of the fight that you might change going into a rematch that won’t allow the judges to score the way they did on Saturday?

Mr. Ronnie Shields – Go ahead, Bryan.

Mr. Bryan Vera – I would get with Ronnie about it, but I mean to me it looked like I won the fight more clearly than [unintelligible] but I would have to just go back to the gym with Ronnie and let him determine on whether I need to make changes now. But, as far as myself, I felt like I did what I had to do to win it and it seemed clear to me.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – And as for me, I haven’t watched a fight back. I mean, I don’t need to watch it back really. I caught it the other night, and I saw like the last two rounds of the fight but that was it. But, I mean, look, I saw it live and I judge every round–every round for my fighters I judge it and I judge it fairly, and if Bryan was behind I would have told him that he was behind during the fight, but I didn’t tell him he was behind because he wasn’t. He was winning the fight and that’s why I just kept telling him–every now and then Bryan would put his hands down and get hit with a shot. And I just told him, “Don’t be macho. You don’t have to be macho. Just stick to the game plan.” And he went back and he did that. And as far as a rematch is concerned, it’s not in me to tell my fighter to train because he’s got to impress–because he’s got to do something special because he’s fighting Chavez Jr. in the next fight. No. We train. We put the fight plan together and that’s the way we do it. We can’t–because we don’t know how judges think. We don’t know how they’re going to be that night. We just got to do the best that we can possibly do, get in great shape, follow the game plan and win the fight. And whether the judges see it that way or not, in my heart of hearts we know Bryan won the fight. That just plain and simple as that. Everybody thought he won the fight. So, that’s enough for me. And in the next fight we have to train harder and just add a few more wrinkles to what we already know how to do.

Mr. James Myer – Also, regarding the weight–you guys being a little bit stricter on the weight loss policy have you guys thought of any sort of rehydration clause or are you guys that far into negotiations where you talked about stuff like that?

Mr. Artie Pelullo – If you’re asking me, we’re not–if he makes 68 and that’s agreed upon weight, it’d be pretty hard to put a number in there that he can’t be heavy than whatever, but I don’t know the answer to that question because we don’t have a fight yet. We haven’t had–we don’t have 100 percent from him, and HBO is hemming and hawing at this time as they’re looking at their budget. So, if it’s not then–going to be on HBO or then it would be on pay per view. So, right now, we’re trying to put together that the fight does happen before the end of the year on the 7th or the 14th.

Mr. James Myer – All right, great. That’s all the questions I had. Thanks a lot for your time.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – I’d just like to say something. I need to get on a plane. So, if anybody wants to talk–ask me anymore questions that’s fine. If not, I’m going to get off. Everybody else stay on with Bryan and with Ronnie. So, if there’s nothing else for me, I’ll wait a second and find out, and then I’m going to get on this plane.

Operator – Our next question comes from the line of Robert Morales with Los Angeles Daily News. Your line is live.

Mr. Robert Morales – Thank you. Yeah, I actually have–you’re okay, Artie. I have one question for Bryan and one for Ronnie.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Okay, then I’m going to say goodbye. Ronnie, and, Bryan, and Marc, you guys keep talking. Thanks, guys, all the reporters–.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – –Thank you–.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – –For coming onboard. We need your help. And because of what you’ve done and because of the outcry and the outrage on how the decision went there could be a bigger fight in the second fight and that’s what we’re working on. So, everybody have a good day. I’ll be on cell. I’ll be in LA. Chow.

Mr. Bryan Vera – Take care.

Mr. Artie Pelullo – Bye, guys. Bye, Ronnie. Bye, Bryan–.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – –Bye.

Mr. Bryan Vera – Take care.

Mr. Robert Morales – Okay, so, Bryan, I’m curious, immediately after the decision was announced, what went through your head?

Mr. Bryan Vera – I mean nothing really. I just felt sick to my stomach, man, because I mean, you heard the crowd. The crowd booed. And I just knew that I won the fight, man. We all felt the same way. I really had no thoughts. I was kind of disgusted, man. So, I just prayed, hopefully, we can do this again.

Mr. Robert Morales – Ronnie, I’m wondering. I know that this is not what you want to see a decision that your man apparently deserved it and didn’t get. But, let me ask you this, Bryan did give a very, very good performance, one of the best, and I know he’s gotten better recently as time has gone on. We all know that. I thought this was a terrific performance by him. Do you think that even though he did not get this decision that his performance alone helped him in his career?

Mr. Ronnie Shields – I think without a doubt. I think people have to also look at all the hard work Bryan put into this fight. Sometimes it takes a name to make you fight your best. Let me tell you something, we had 17 weeks of hard work. And every time the fight got canceled, I brought him down a little bit, and then when it was on we picked it back up, and we had to do this like four times. So–and Bryan didn’t complain one time. I’ve been with guys before that have complained, “Oh, this ain’t going to never happen,” this and that, and they get themselves down, but Bryan just kept pushing and pushing. And I think it showed. It reflected in the fight that he worked hard that he definitely worked harder than Chavez did. And for them not to see that and not to give him the fight that’s–to me these guys didn’t do their job. And someone said something about their age. It don’t matter how old you are. If you can see the fight, realize that both guys trained. They trained hard. They–this is their living. This is what they do for a living. And it don’t affect these guys in one way or another. They don’t care that they gave the fight to a guy who didn’t deserve it. And that’s the thing about is not one of these judges have come out and said one thing. “This is what I saw. This is what it is.” No, nothing. You heard nothing. Because, I’m telling you, I don’t know if they was paid off. They could have been. Like Vergil Hunter said, he saw some suspicious things going on around wayside. Hey, maybe it was. And again these judges should have a heart and come out and say, “Oh, yeah, we took some money to give him the fight,” or “I made a mistake. I didn’t–maybe I didn’t look at it the way I supposed to be looking at it.” Say something and let the public know. If they call themselves fair and honest, then come out fair and honest and say what you believe now.

Mr. Robert Morales – I see. I see. Outstanding. All right, Ronnie, thanks. Man, I appreciate it.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – Thank you.

Operator – Our next question comes from the line of Gina Carano with TRU Boxing Headz. Your line is live.

Ms. Gina Carano – Hi, Bryan. This is Gina. How you doing?

Mr. Bryan Vera – I’m doing good, Gina. How are you?

Ms. Gina Carano – Good. My question’s for you. I have just more of a statement and then a little bit of a question. I’m sure you know that Twitter totally blew up that night. It was out of control. I mean, Chavez-Vera was one of the top trends on Twitter. And I know it’s one thing for boxing fans to say it’s unfair that my fighter lost, everybody was saying it, Bryan. Networks were saying it. Writers were saying it. Other boxers were saying it. Fans were saying it. So, I mean I definitely know that the judges say that you lost. We know that you didn’t. But, how did it feel to gain that much respect and support from some incredible people?

Mr. Bryan Vera – That part of the whole thing made me feel good just because I was a little down after the fight. I mean–and it was just a bad–it was a bad situation to be in, but all the support and all the people that were talking on Twitter, Facebook, and all those things, they definitely brought me back up and they made me realize that I got ripped off. You know what I mean? When you have that many people and that many judges and that many press [unintelligible] people calling me the winner then that tells you right there.

Ms. Gina Carano – Absolutely. That’s my only question. Thanks.

Mr. Bryan Vera – Thank you.

Operator – Our next question comes from the Brian Fogg with Leave it in the RinG. Your line is live.

Mr. Brian Fogg – Actually, I had a question for Artie, who already left. So, I’ll just drop him an e-mail. Thank you though.

Operator – We have no further questions in queue at this time.

Mr. Marc Abrams – Okay, just want to thank everyone for being on the call, Bryan and Ronnie as well. If you guys need to get in touch with Bryan, everyone has my e-mail address, and I’ll be able to accommodate you guys as this process develops over the next couple of months. So, thanks again for–everyone for being on, and we’ll talk to you guys soon. Thank you.

Mr. Bryan Vera – All right, very good.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – Take care, Bryan.

Mr. Bryan Vera – Ronnie, I’ll talk to you soon, man.

Mr. Ronnie Shields – All right, bye.

Operator – That concludes this afternoon’s teleconference. You may now disconnect your lines.

PHILADELPHIA (September 30, 2013)—This past Saturday night at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, WBO #1 Ranked Middleweight Bryan Vera put in an amazing performance that should have propelled him to a victory over former WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

Vera won the fight overwhelmingly on all social media sites and the below link compiled by Boxing News polled nearly sixty writers and NOT ONE saw the fight for Chavez and only seven went so far as to score this a draw.
http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/latest/feature/brian-vera-scored-the-winner-over-julio-cesar-chavez-jnr-by-53-members-of-the-press

The entire world on HBO Championship Boxing, with the exception of the three judges at ringside, saw that Vera controlled the action and outlanded Chavez in the bout. Vera also threw 406 more punches and was more consistent throughout the fight.

“I won the fight like everybody else saw.”, said Vera.

“If I get another opportunity, especially in Texas, it will be more of a level playing field. I felt like I proved that I am one of the best Middleweights and Super Middleweights in the world and nobody expected that.”

“We are extremely proud of Bryan. He is a true professional and he went out there, did his job and clearly won the fight”, said Banner Promotions President Arthur Pelullo.

“I have been getting calls from all over from people who saw Bryan go out there and win. With this performance, Bryan clearly won the fight in the court of public opinion and it opened up more doors for him. HBO I know wants him back and the first order of business is to pursue the rematch. Bryan gave into all of Chavez’ demands regarding the weight so now it’s only fair to concede something to Bryan. Chavez should man up and give him a rematch”

Said Vera’s manager David Watson, “This is what Teddy Atlas talks about with the terrible judging. Bryan did everything that was asked of him. He trained hard and did everything the right way and went out there and did his job, what kind of message does this send? We know he won. The world knows he won. We know that he can’t win unless he knocks Chavez out because of the unfair judging. He carried and controlled the fight and the only people who thought Chavez won were the three judges.”

“Ever since we walked out of the ring, people have not been happy about this and I know the public wants to see a rematch.”

Mexican “Son of the Legend” Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. – the man whom middleweight champion Sergio Martinez alternately calls “a lie” and “the lie” – likely lost the chavezweight championship of the world to Bryan Vera, Saturday, were we able to get scorecards in what Shakespeare called honest hands (“And put in every honest hand a whip / To lash the rascals naked through the world”), but that is irrelevant to both Chavez’s legacy and his promoter’s immediate plans. And probably Chavez didn’t lose boldly as television said he did.

Live from the inanely named StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., came Chavez’s 173-pound fight with Texas middleweight Bryan Vera, a man long on chin as he’s short on defensive wherewithal, in a match that presented what scoring difficulties come whenever one man hits another disproportionately harder and less often than he gets hit. Official scores all went for Chavez: 96-94, 97-93, 98-92. My scorecard did not concur, finding for Vera, but as my vantage came via television’s profoundly distorting lens, I’ll defer to personal experience and flee our sport’s social predators as they perpetually pack in pursuit of dissenting judges.

Regardless of record or baubles, it is enough to see Son of the Legend struck repeatedly, is it not? So goes the strategy for promoting Chavez henceforth, in a subtle way fans recognize even when they do not grasp it: the more outraged a man was with Saturday’s decision, the more hardily he hoped for a larger and better opponent to do Chavez wrong and thorough-like, for attendance figures show very, very few disinterested folks feel strongly enough about Bryan Vera or his career to demand a rematch, and if the remainder of strong feelings about Saturday reasonably then can be summarized as “I’d like to see Chavez’s bitch ass beat unconscious,” will anyone be sated by a rematch with little Bryan Vera so much as a run-in with super middleweight champion Andre Ward, or something vengefully served by light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson?

How rich it was to see Junior deftly maneuver the compulsories of Saturday’s prefight-promo video (not “Punching in the Rain” but the other one), citing his professionalism and habit of making weight, every time, in a manner nimbly unconscious of his same body having missed weight at least three times, four if one counts the postponement, and having missed it in a way to make his fight-contract a fight-expand, a miss so gloriously wide countrymen Erik Morales and Jose Luis Castillo now appear pikers beside him. It was an out-of-body trick Chavez pulled, talking about himself like a talent scout proud of this Chavez kid, disciplined as he is, before he treated the inexpressible joy of pending fatherhood – and show us a professional fighter not prone to sympathetic pregnancy symptoms! – in what might have been a piece of only slightly embarrassing symmetry, had the Legend in the moniker “Son of the Legend” spoken of his ineffable pride at siring a lad like Junior, had the HBO production crew not already spent its budget making it rain elsewhere.

Bryan Vera outworked Chavez, while neither out-defending nor out-slugging him, making furious an HBO broadcaster otherwise reliably derisive of judges who score activity alone, but so what? Cheering for Chavez to get beaten is a thing that transcends what petty barriers otherwise divide us; who but Son of the Legend – his country casting about for a new hero, anything to look away from Cinnamon Alvarez for a spell – agrees to fight at a rust-removing 162 pounds then takes the scale 2 1/2 from the light heavyweight limit, smiles jubilantly, raises his hands triumphantly, and hits a most-muscular pose in peach micro briefs?

And that was not the best of Chavez’s stylishness – as he would go on to tire expectedly in the second half of Saturday’s fight and ape his vanquisher, the aforementioned Sergio Martinez, dropping his hands, hanging his arms loosely, and hopping at Vera with lead power shots. Fortunately nothing tragic happened at StubHub Center, and let us not conflate tragedy with travesty, because Chavez was not conditioned well enough to do his signature left-shoulder corral and whale Vera for more than five-second increments.

Had Chavez a whit of conditioning, he might have beaten Vera severely, as the Texan’s defensive tactics approached self-sabotage in their carelessness; Vera dropped his right hand as an offensive prerequisite – he did not attack, even with his left, until his right was secured on the metallic-rust waistband of his trunks, allowing himself to be hit flush with left-hook leads, the successful landing of which surprised Chavez enough to embolden him. It is not a just world that sees someone like Chavez so much better outfitted for combat than someone serious as Bryan Vera, but there was nothing just about the entirety of last week’s spectacle, and but for the 34-minute denuding Martinez performed on him in 2012, the concluding 90 seconds of which saw Chavez nearly return himself to regally adorned splendor, what about Chavez’s career has even feinted justice’s way?

A thought that came to mind between rounds Saturday, as Chavez Sr. called for a right cross to the body that would be the most debilitating blow his son landed in 30 minutes: Does the Legend ever imagine what it would be like to fight Son of the Legend, does he ever shunt fatherly considerations and empathize with those men who have none of the benefits given his son, benefits he did not have? Does Julio Cesar Chavez, in other words, ever suspend disbelief and catch himself accidentally cheering a Bryan Vera to whup his son, the way his longtime fans now do?

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

Put a pair of boxing gloves on Peter Pan and you’ve got Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. A man-child, emphasis on the child.

The real fight for Chavez Jr. is whether he ever grows up. It’s a question that has begun to take on urgency as he enters his late 20s after a series of exasperating, often embarrassing missteps that leave doubt about whether he cares about his craft or his dad’s legacy.

Anybody who has met Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KOs) knows him to be likable. There’s an adolescent charm about him. He’ll make you laugh, unlike his feared dad, the proto-typical hard man whose meltdown stare could make you look over your shoulder in search for a quick exit to safety. Like him or not, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. was a serious guy. Through 48 fights, his son isn’t.

That might begin to change Saturday night against Bryan Vera (23-6, 14 KOs) at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., in an HBO-televised bout. But it’ll take more than just one fight for Chavez Jr. to get beyond a reputation that only got worse last September in his loss to Sergio Martinez.

There was his bizarre training camp, conducted mostly at a Las Vegas home in early-morning workouts. Then, there were 11 one-sided rounds, all in favor of Martinez, before a wild 12th that saw Chavez Jr. suddenly wake up with a ferocious knockdown of Martinez. Chavez Jr. nearly stole the fight with a knockout. It made you wonder what he might have accomplished with some real roadwork instead of a few laps around the couch in the living room of that comfortable Vegas’ rental. Then, there was the subsequent news that Chavez Jr. had tested positive for marijuana. Ah-ha, everyone joked. No wonder he didn’t start working out until about 1 a.m., what with the midnight munchies and all.

For his promoter Bob Arum and loyal cadre of Mexican fans, that dramatic 12th is the flash of brilliance that illuminated his potential. It represented what he could be. But maturity is about staying power. And that’s what has yet to be seen from a very nice kid, yet one seemingly without the requisite accountability that comes with being a grown-up pro.

He says the right things. In a conference call Tuesday, Chavez Jr. said he accepted responsibility for his failed drug test, which initially led to a controversial $900,000 fine levied by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. After Arum took the bully pulpit and condemned the size of the fine, it was reduced to $100,000. Even that seems a little high by today’s standards, laws and PEDs. Voters in Colorado and Washington made pot legal in their respective states. It’s not as if Chavez Jr. tested positive for HGH, EPO or some other chemical acronym. A positive test for marijuana doesn’t put him in Lance Armstrong’s league. Pot is about as much a performance-enhancer as a bacon cheeseburger. Still, it was also a sure sign that his mind wasn’t on the fury he was about to encounter against the disciplined Martinez.

With the inevitable question Tuesday about Chavez Jr.’s positive drug-test, Arum was back on the bully pulpit.

“I want to go on record as saying that there is nothing wrong with smoking pot,’’ Arum said. “There is nothing wrong with marijuana.’’

Colorado and Washington voters agree with Arum, always candid and quick to confront an issue. In some ways, perhaps, Arum is expressing how public opinion on pot has changed over the last 10 to 15 years. Bill Clinton didn’t inhale; Barack Obama did. But Arum might regret the timing of this one. He’s got a fighter who needs to grow up.

Chavez Jr. doesn’t need another excuse to train the way he wants, eat what he wants, or smoke a joint whenever he gets the urge. Excuses are enablers, which have proven to be Chavez Jr.’s toughest opponents.

Even for Vera, there are troubling signs of some of the same. Vera is tough, but lacks the talent so often evident in Chavez Jr. Chavez’ struggle to make weight has led to a reported agreement, –173 pounds instead of the junior-middleweight’s 168 — and 10 rounds instead of 12. It looms as another excuse, a way for Chavez to slip through another loophole that has allowed him to avoid accountability and prevented him for reaching his potential.

In the art of match-making, Top Rank has been brilliant with Chavez Jr., who didn’t start with the bedrock of fundamental skill learned over an amateur career. It has moved him carefully and against opponents who have allowed to him to display power and instinct.

Yet, there’s still an unresolved challenge: Himself, his own immaturity.

If he can’t win that one, does Top Rank or anybody else think he has a chance against Gennady Golovkin, or Andre Ward, or even Canelo Alvarez?

Didn’t think so.

LOS ANGELES (SEPTEMBER 26, 2013)—Below are quotes from Wednesday’s press conference in advance of Saturday’s Super Middleweight showdown between former WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and WBO #1 ranked Middleweight Bryan Vera that will take place at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

The show is promoted by Top Rank and Banner Promotions and will be televised LIVE on HBO’s Championship Boxing.
Bryan Vera (23-6, 14 KO’s)—“It has been the longest camp I have ever been in so I am not lying when I say I am in the best shape of my career.”

Arthur Pelullo—“Bryan knows he is fighting a great young fighter and it’s going to be a great night of boxing. We feel that Bryan will have an excellent night. When Bob Arum called me about the fight, Bryan didn’t blink an eyelash and said yes. He knew this could be a career changing fight. He wanted this fight from the get-go. He understands the formal task in front of him. He is a great fighter and he is coming to win the fight.”

David Watson (Vera Manager)—“This is going to be a great exciting fight. Bryan has prepared for it. You are going to see two prideful fighters going at it.”

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KO’s)—“I am very happy that fight night is coming very soon. I think it’s going to be a great fight for the audience. You are going to see the best Julio you have ever seen.”

Bob Arum—“People who know and understand boxing know that this will be a tremendous event and very exciting.”
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. –“We are very happy that the fight is getting closer. I can assure that you will see a great fight on Saturday. I know that Bryan Vera will give a sensational fight. We know my son is in for a tough fight on Saturday but we have a lot of confidence and we know that he will come for a victory.”

Fernando Beltran (Zanfer Promotions)—“I know that Chavez has a very tough opponent in front of him. The people are the winners of this show as they will see a sensational match.”

Tony Walker (HBO)—“The challenge of Bryan Vera will be very formidable.”

Photo by Shane Sims / Banner Promotions

LOS ANGELES (September 25, 2013) — Hall of Fame promoter and Jenny Craig acolyte Bob Arum concluded his remarks at today’s final Julio César Chávez Jr. – Bryan Vera press conference at the Millennium Biltmore hotel with the proclamation, “Wait for the Weight!”

What would a Chávez Jr. fight week be without a concern about his official weight? It took up the majority of the questions during Tuesday’s media conference call that he and Arum hosted.

The contract weight for Saturday’s super middleweight rumble is a maximum of 168 pounds for the two fighters.

“Julio must be a Union man because he seems to be working for scale for this event,” said Arum with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

A member of Team Vera suggested that Tecate Light sponsor the official weigh-in and that Chávez change his middle name from César to Cerveza.

Friday’s official weigh-in will be streamed live from the Gold Room at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel (506 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90071-2607), beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT via www.toprank.tv.

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Chávez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KOs), of Culiacán, México, making his 2013 debut in his first fight in the Los Angeles area in over two years, and Vera (23-6, 14 KOs), of Austin, TX, riding a 16-month, four-bout winning streak, will go mano a mano This Saturday! Saturday, September 28, under the stars, at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Chávez vs. Vera will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions and Tecate, remaining tickets to Chávez vs. Vera, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $20 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased online at http://www.axs.com, by telephone at (888) 929-7849 or at the StubHub Center box office, Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Suites are available by calling (877) 604-8777. For information on group discounts, please call (877) 234-8425.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion and Son of the Legend JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR., (46-1-1, 32 KOs), of Culiacán, México, makes his 2013 debut in his first fight in the Los Angeles area in over two years. He will go mano a mano against No. 1 contender BRYAN VERA 23-6, 14 KOs), of Austin, TX, who is riding a 16-month, four-bout winning streak, This Saturday! September 28, under the stars, at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Chávez vs. Vera will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.

BOB ARUM: It’s nice to be on this call and it will be good to see Julio César Chávez Jr. get back into the ring after an absence of a little over a year. Julio has a great fan base and everyone is anxious to see him perform at the StubHub Center on Saturday. We have a full card o nine bouts with some great prospects including Óscar Valdez, Jose Ramírez and Diego Magdaleno. It should be a really fun night. Now we can hear from Fernando Beltran on his feelings about the event.

FERNANDO BELTRAN: Hi everybody. I think it is going to be a very exciting night of boxing. Julio César Chávez will be back, which is very important, after almost a year absence. He is very hungry and is coming with everything for this bout, including Daniel Sandoval who is a knockout artist. It’s going to be a great night and we are going to have a packed house.

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: It has been a real good training camp. I have been training real hard for this fight for the past three months. I am excited to get back in the ring and am very happy to get back in the ring.

Can you confirm what the official weight will be for the fight?

BOB ARUM: We will take a look at what the fighters weigh tomorrow and then we will decide what the weight will be. There is ne determination on that. I know what Julio Sr. said but I know that he misspoke when he said it.

How do you feel about coming back after your first loss?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: It is very important to me. I am coming off a loss and I want to show everyone what I am capable of doing. I worked real hard and I am looking forward to getting in the ring to show everyone that I am back. Of course I want to regain the position where I was before the loss against Martinez.

There is a lot of talk about your present weight. Are you having trouble?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: I think it is time for me to move up to 168. That is the goal we have been working on for this fight. We want to do the best that we can to get near that weight. I just felt that at 160 my health was not going to be good. Health-wise I think that 168 is good for me and I would like to continue my career at 168. This is not a championship fight but I will be close to 168 for this fight.

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: The only way I will go to 160 is to fight Martinez again. That fight is so big that it would be worth the sacrifice to make.

How much do you weigh now and how much will you weigh tomorrow?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: I weigh 173 right now.

Julio, how do you feel about the talk about your training habits?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: People have to realize how hard I trained for this fight. It wasn’t easy making 160 but yet I became a champion at 160. I had four title defenses at 160, came within a couple seconds of knocking out the best 160-punder in the world. So you can’t say I wasn’t ready to fight in those fights. I made the weight and I showed everyone what I am capable of doing. I don’t think people realized how hard it was to make 160 and how much I had to sacrifice to make 160.

Bob do you think this reputation is warranted?

BOB ARUM: It is very difficult when a young man starts at the age that he did. He had a completely different body than the body that he has now. Now he has matured and he is a big, big kid. There are light heavyweights that look smaller than he does. We have to question ourselves whether he stayed at 160 too long even though he was able to make the weight because I really believe that if you struggle to make weight that you deplete yourself and you can’t give as good a performance than if you fight at a more natural weight. Julio is a big man and for him to get down to 160, he might still do it, but it would be a tremendous sacrifice for his health and his ability to perform in the ring. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist but I have been around the sport for a long time and that’s what I see.

Looking back, how do you feel about the suspension and smoking?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: You know, you make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. It happens, I am human. I thought it was excessive what I got but it comes with the territory. I need to show everyone what I am capable of doing. On Saturday night I want to give a great performance. I am really looking forward to erasing all of those bad memories that I had.

BOB ARUM: I want to go on record that there is nothing wrong with smoking pot. There is nothing wrong with Marijuana. Any sentence for an athlete that has smoked marijuana other than smoking while he is in the ring is unconscionable and wrong and now even WADA has said the same thing. Let’s be honest. There is nothing wrong with pot and it absolutely cannot be beneficial. I know what Julio said about doing wrong but I don’t think he did anything wrong by taking Marijuana two weeks prior to his fight with Martinez

BOB ARUM: The rules have changed and there is a doctrine that states that if the rules have changed it applies retroactively. So it was unfortunate. Those were the rules of the commission but those rules were preposterous and have now been changed and it should be specified.

Julio, what would you like to accomplish next in boxing?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: I am looking to win a world title at 168, something that no other Méxican has done. That is one of my goals and maybe move up to light heavy to win a title there. But all I’m thinking about now is how I look on Saturday and then I will think about what’s next. I know I am going to repeat myself, but I would sacrifice everything to make 160 because I do want that fight.

How is it working with your dad as head trainer?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: The most important thing is he is going to work my corner. He has always been in my training camps – supervising it and looking over what I am doing. But the key to all of this is he is going to be in the corner giving instructions. Before he would come up yelling and screaming and no one would know what is going one. He was doing it unprofessionally and now he is doing it professionally. He is now going to be in the corner giving me instructions and that is going to be very important.

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: My main trainer for this fight is Baldomir Valdinegro – he has worked with me for nine years and has always been in my corner and is the one in charge of the boxing aspect of this operation. And my strength trainer is the one that put me at 158 for my last couple fights at 160 and has worked real hard on my conditioning and meals. He is going to have me make the weight and do it the right way.

Has Sr. been in camp on a daily basis?

JULIO CEÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: He is in camp at least three days a week.

Have you spoken to Vera’s camp regarding weight?

BOB ARUM: To be frank, I have talked to Vera’s promoter Artie Pelullo and I will be having breakfast with him tomorrow morning in Los Angeles at the Biltmore hotel to discuss it. Artie is a professional promoter and we always seem to find a solution.

Will you be working with Robert Garcia for your next fight?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: I need to see how I do with this fight. The guys have been working real hard in this camp and I have to see how I look and how I feel. I am not saying ‘no’ to Robert Garcia or Freddie Roach. I just want to see what comes up next and we’ll go from there.

How is the cut you recently got in sparring?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: The cut is going very good. I suspended one week of sparring. I continued to train, never stopping and I am ready to fight.

BOB ARUM: I think Julio is an enormous talent and has always performed at a very high level. I am proud of his performances and even in the Martinez fight whereas throughout the fight Martinez was getting the best of him, Chávez didn’t quit and he almost pulled out the fight miraculously in the last round. I never doubt Julio’s performances. He is a great athlete and he always gives 100% in the ring.

I am proud of the way he fights. I am proud of the way he entertains the crowd and I think the adulation of the Méxican fans for Chávez Jr. is very well justified.

Julio’s father was great champion; Julio Jr. had no amateur background and became champion. How do you think he has handled that and should he be given credit for that?

BOB ARUM: I think he should get enormous credit. We all know about athletes whose fathers were world famous and how difficult it is for them to excel in the same sport. But I think he has carried himself well and become his own person. He isn’t a carbon copy of his father’s own style. He has his own style. And I think he has done very well. Boxing is a very tough sport and the fighters that succeed the most are the ones that come from impoverished backgrounds. He didn’t come from an impoverished background because of who is father was. He has dug deep and I am very proud of what he has done in the ring.

What damage was done to Jr. in the Martinez fight?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: After that fight, I didn’t have to go to the hospital – I wasn’t cut. There was nothing other than some scratches or bruises that you would normally get after being in a fight for 12 rounds. Other than that, I was fine and my body was fine. I never had to go to the hospital or anything else. I went to a nightclub right after the fight so you know I wasn’t hurt. Any reports to the contrary are totally false. I was fine. I could have gone another 12 rounds if I needed to. I don’t think he could have but I know I could have.

How comfortable will you feel with who will be in your corner?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: The important thing, I know those guys and I have been around those guys. Baldomir has been with me for nine years and my father knows him very well. Cornejo has been with me the last four years and my father knows him very well. The key is that my father is going to be in the corner. He is going to look professional – no more screaming and yelling and running up and making me lose my focus. I think it is going to be great for all of us.

How do you reflect on the long year away from the ring and all the changes?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: There has been a lot of changes in my life. I am coming off a loss and coming off a suspension. There have been a lot of things that happened in my career and my personal life. My girlfriend is pregnant and I am going to be a father for the first time. I think it has been a blessing that I have been able to concentrate on my personal life. I wasn’t ready to fight so this makes it great and I am ready to get back into the ring and concentrate on my professional life once again.

Do you know the baby’s sex? How do you feel about being a father?

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: It is a girl. It will be a new life for me. I am very happy and excited all the time. My girlfriend and I will have a baby in January and it changes a lot of things in your mind. Everyone knows how special a bond is with your daughter and I am looking forward to it.

BOB ARUM: Tickets are going very well at StubHub Center. I think there are less than 500 left. We may have to open the outer reaches of the stadium to accommodate more people. It’s going to be a great night of boxing. to watch Julio and Vera battle it out. We have a great middleweight fight with Matt Korobov vs. Grady Brewer. I want to thank HBO for airing the event and I want to thank Tecate for sponsoring who has been there for and been a great partner in our events.

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR: I want to thank everyone that is involved – Tecate, Top Rank, HBO. I am very happy and excited to get back in the ring and I want to give the fans a great fight which is what I always try to do.

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Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions and Tecate, remaining tickets to Chávez vs. Vera, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $20 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased online at http://www.axs.com, by telephone at (888) 929-7849 or at the StubHub Center box office, Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Suites are available by calling (877) 604-8777. For information on group discounts, please call (877) 234-8425.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

CARSON, CALIF. (August 29, 2013) — Former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion and Son of the Legend JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ, JR., returning to the ring in his 2013 debut, and No. 1 contender BRYAN “The Warrior” VERA formally announced their fight at a packed Los Angeles press conference today. Taking place Saturday, September 28, under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., the Chávez vs. Vera 12-round super middleweight rumble marks the first time Chávez has fought in the Los Angeles area since June 4, 2011, when he won the world title over undefeated interim world champion Sebastian Zbik. The fight will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions and Tecate, remaining tickets to Chávez vs. Vera, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $20 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased online at www.axs.com, by telephone at (888) 929-7849 or at the StubHub Center box office, Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Suites are available by calling (877) 604-8777. For information on group discounts, please call (877) 234-8425.

“Vera is the real deal, a warrior,” said Chávez. “Years ago I sparred a few rounds against Vera when I was in Dallas during the Pacquiao vs. Margarito event. Vera was pretty intense and I knew he could fight. We were in a ring set up inside of the Gaylord Hotel. So this fight on September 28 will challenging for me. I am just so happy getting back into the ring after such a long layoff. I think about the Sergio Martinez fight every day. A little of me died inside when I lost that fight. Could I have done better? Of course I should have but it did not happen. Now we have Vera who is aggressive and punches hard. I wanted to come back against a great fighter and Vera is all of that. I plan to win this fight and then we will discuss my plans for 2014.”

“We could have stayed around and fought WBO champion Peter Quillin but we know what is at stake with all of this,” said Vera. “I feel like I been in camp for three fights. I expect to be victorious in a great fight on September 28th.”

Chávez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KOs), of Culiacán, México, returns to the ring for the first time since his thrilling world title loss to Sergio Martinez on September 15. Their Méxican Independence Day spectacular was the highest-attended boxing event in the history of the Thomas & Mack Center, with 19,186, topping the record set by the heavyweight championship rematch between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, which drew 19,151 in 1999. He captured the WBC middleweight crown in 2011, winning a majority decision over undefeated interim world champion Zbik at STAPLES Center, just a few blocks away from where his father won his first world title, in 1984, at the old Olympic Auditorium, when he knocked out Mario Martinez to capture the vacant WBC super featherweight title. Chávez Jr. successfully defended his title three times, knocking out Andy Lee and Peter Manfredo, Jr. in the seventh and fifth rounds, respectively, and winning a unanimous decision over two-time world title challenger Marco Antonio Rubio.

Vera (23-6, 14 KOs), of Austin, TX, who enters this fight having won six of his last seven bouts, is riding a 16-month, four-bout winning streak. Vera’s current hot streak includes NABO middleweight title victories over Sergio Mora, former world champion Sergeii Dzinziruk, and Donatas Bondoravas, the last two victories coming by way of knockout. Vera, who trains in Houston with Ronnie Shields, is currently world-rated No. 1 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

PHILADELPHIA (August 16, 2013)—Due to a cut suffered by former WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the twelve round Super Middleweight bout between Chavez Jr. and WBO number-one ranked Middleweight Bryan Vera has been pushed back to Saturday September 28th at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

The bout, which was originally announced for September 7th is promoted by Top Rank and Banner Promotions and will be seen live on HBO.

Chavez (46-1-1, 32 KO’s) suffered the cut earlier this week while sparring and forcing the bout to be moved back three weeks.

Vera (23-6, 14 KO’s) of Austin, Texas has been training intensely in Houston.

“We are happy that after Chavez suffered the injury that the fight could be rescheduled so quickly”, said Banner Promotions president, Arthur Pelullo.

“Bryan has been training hard and has been thinking about this fight for the better part of six months. We know he will put on a great show and that this is a great opportunity for him”

LOS ANGELES (August 15, 2013) — A training camp injury incurred by former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez, Jr. has forced the cancellation of his fight with Bryan Vera, which was scheduled to take place Saturday, September 7, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Information on a new date and new venue for Chávez Jr. vs. Vera will be announced shortly.

A refund will be offered at the original point of purchase. If tickets were purchased from AXS via Purchase By Phone or through www.axs.com, refunds will be received automatically via AXS. Tickets purchased from the STAPLES Center box office can be refunded there, beginning today, Thursday, August 15, 2013. Those who purchased tickets at any other outlet should reach out to that original point of purchase and contact them directly for a refund.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

PHILADELPHIA (July 29, 2013)—On Saturday September 7th, former U.S. Olympian and undefeated Demetrius Andrade will vie for his first world championship, when he takes on fellow former U.S. Olympian Vanes Martirosyan in a twelve round bout from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

The bout, which will be televised live on HBO Championship Boxing, will be the co-feature to the Super Middleweight clash between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Bryan Vera.

Demetrius Andrade of Providence, Rhode Island was a former world amateur champion and has a perfect professional mark of 19-0 with thirteen knockouts and is currently the number two contender for the WBO belt.

Vanes Martiroysan of Glendale, California is 33-0-1 with 21 knockouts.

Andrade, who is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Star Boxing, was scheduled to contend for the belt on July 6th but an injury to then-champion Zaurbek Baysangurov forced the title to become vacant, thus setting up this showdown of undefeated former Olympians.

“I am looking forward to this fight and have been waiting for this fight ever since I walked into the gym at age 7”, said Andrade.

“I always wanted to be champion of the world and on September 7th I will be crowned champion. I wanted to win an Olympic gold medal and since they took that from me, I am going to take this world title.”

“I was a 2008 Olympian and he made it in 2004. I will show him that if I was around in 2003 and 2004, he would not have made the team”, finished Andrade.“This will be an outstanding fight and we worked hard on getting this fight on HBO”, said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo.

“We feel that Demetrius has all the talent to become a star in this sport and only needed the opportunity on this kind of stage and on September 7th he will get that chance. I want to thank my partner Joe DeGuardia, HBO, Top Rank and the WBO for making this great fight. I have a feeling that after September 7th, not only will Demetrius be a world champion but he will be a household name and in line for even bigger fights.”

PHILADELPHIA (July 18, 2013)—On Saturday September 7th at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Brian Vera will step into the ring with former WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. in what will be the biggest test of Vera’s career.

The fight is promoted by Top Rank, Banner Promotions and Zanfer Promotions and will be televised live on HBO Championship Boxing.

Brian Vera (23-6, 14 KO’s) is currently ranked number-one by the WBO in the middleweight division. Vera is currently on a four fight win streak with victories over former world champions Sergiy Dziznriuk (37-2-1, 24 KO) and Sergio Mora (24-3-2, 7 KO).

This fight had been in the works since May and due to the fight being close to finalized a few times, Vera has been training for weeks in Houston, Texas.

“I will be fully prepared. I have never had this much time to train and prepare”, said Vera.

“I feel like I already have a head start and I am going to make everyone proud. I am going to win”

The fight will be contested at 168 pounds, which Vera has no problem with.

“I have actually fought three times at that weight and Chavez hasn’t. I know the weight will not affect me and I will be strong at the weight”

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KO’s) is coming off his first defeat in his much anticipated showdown last September against Sergio Martinez. Vera believes he is set up in the right spot to pull the upset.

“He is probably taking me lightly but it doesn’t matter. I will be 110% on fight night”.

Chavez Jr. like his father, is a darling among the Los Angeles sports fans, as this will be his 3rd appearance at the STAPLES Center. (Chavez Jr. won his world title in the arena versus Sebastien Zbik) but Vera sees a silver lining going into the hostile environment.

“Fighting in Los Angeles is better than fighting him in Mexico City”.

Vera knows that a win will only bring him the biggest fights in the Middleweight division.

“A win will turn my whole career around and it will change my life”.

Chavez Jr. who tested positive for a banned substance after the Martinez fight and sat out the subsequent nine month suspension has had his share of outside the ring negatives and Vera knows that it could factor in as the fight draws near.

“He is only human like everyone else. Of course the suspension, the fines and some of the other stuff that has been said about him will play on his mind.”

“I just want to thank my trainer Ronnie Shields and the people at Plex Performance as well as my manager David Watson, my promoter Banner Promotions and the rest of my team. I will make them proud on September 7th”.

Tickets go on sale this Friday at $250; $150; $100; $75 and $50 (Plus applicable taxes and fees) and can be purchased online at www.axs.com, by telephone at (888) 929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center box office, Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6pm.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing,on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/banner-promotions orfacebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo,twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

ST. LOUIS (July 15, 2013) – World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 3-rated Willie “The Great” Nelson (21-1-1, 12 KOs) continued his advanced education in boxing on June 29, learning invaluable lessons in his HBO® debut fight against battle-tested Argentinian veteran Luciano Leonel “El Principito” Cuello (32-3, 16 KOs), whose only two previous losses as a professional were to world champions Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (TKO7) and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (DEC10).

The 26-year-old Nelson, fighting out of Cleveland, strayed too often from his game plan, struggling for parts of three challenging rounds. He regrouped to earn a hard-fought victory by unanimous 10-round decision (97-93, 97-93, 96-94), successfully defending his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) 154-pound title, at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Despite not having his “A” game, like an ace baseball pitcher who wins without his best stuff, Nelson won a tough fight against an underrated opponent, overcoming adversity along the way like the world-class prizefighter he has become.

“I tried to knock him out early to look better than Alvarez had,” Nelson admitted, “and that’s all on me. I took him too lightly and he really came to fight. I tried to outclass him, take him out in the first few rounds; now, I know that I can punch but I can’t knockout everybody. I should have stuck to the game plan and used a double jab and then come back with a right. I was supposed to spin him so I wouldn’t get caught by his left hook, but I didn’t do what I worked on in the gym. I’ll learn from this fight.”

The 6′ 3 ½” Nelson, whose 81″ reach is freakish for a light middleweight, stayed too often in the pocket and essentially gave up his tremendous size advantage in an effort to put Cuello (listed at 5′ 9 ½”) to sleep early, as he did in his previous fight to Michael Medina (KO1). Never-the-less, he still defeated the WBC No. 13-rated challenger, who gave Chavez all that he could handle and more in their controversial 2009 fight, in which Chavez won a questionable 10-round decision (97-93, 96-95, 96-94) at home in Mexico.

“I watched more videotape of Cuello than just his Alvarez and Chavez fights,” said Jack Loew, who trains Nelson in Youngstown, Ohio. “I knew Cuello could fight and we were in for a tough fight. We know that Willie can do better but it was a great learning experience for him. I know it’ll make him an even better fighter. Don’t forget, it wasn’t perfect, but Willie won the fight fair and square on HBO. We didn’t take a step backwards, not by any means, and he’s ready right now to fight any of the top names in the light middleweight division. There’s no doubt in my mind that Willie will be world champion.

“I thought he dominated when he did what he was supposed to do – use a double jab and come back with the right. His second jab landed all night long but he wanted to bang-out his opponent early. When Willie didn’t throw his double jab, throwing only one jab at a time, Cuello blocked it and then snuck inside. Willie has so much talent; he can box and punch. He just can’t go looking for a knockout like he did. He needs to learn how to adjust better during a fight and listen to his corner. This is like fine-tuning a car. Everything is there and all we need to do is put it all together.”

Because most of the top light middleweights are committed to fights during the next few months, rather than wait for a major fight opportunity, Nelson will headline a local show, presented by Rumble Time Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, September 28 close to his adopted second-home of Youngstown at Packard Music Arena (tickets: 314.662.2000) in Warren, Ohio.

“The top guys aren’t available and we’re not waiting for Willie to fight again,” explained Rumble Time Promotions president Steve Smith, who co-promotes Nelson with Lou DiBella. “We’re going to keep him busy so he can continue to improve his skills. We tried to get (WBC #1 rated Sergey) Rabchenko for this fight (June 29) on HBO but they turned it down.

“Willie was a little too overconfident and put too much pressure on himself to knockout Cuello quicker than Alvarez had in six rounds. That’s why Willie came out so fast. He’s young and could have made things a lot easier, if he had just fought his fight. He’s a big puncher whose strong boxing skills enabled him to win a lot of amateur titles.”

Cuello was a relatively unknown, at least in the United States, but the Argentinian proved to be a rugged, albeit awkward opponent who is cut from the same mold as his countrymen, contemporary stars such as Sergio Martinez, Lucas Matthysee and Marcos Maidana.

Nelson was cut for the first time in his pro career, in fact, he suffered lacerations over both eyes (in the 3rd and 10th rounds), but he was fortunate to have one of the world’s premier cut-men working his corner, Danny Milano, who kept the bleeding under control. Nelson displayed the heart and determination of a true champion down the stretch to win convincingly in his first HBO fight.

“American fans didn’t know how good Cuello is because he had never fought on U.S. television before,” Smith added. “His close loss to Chavez was in Mexico to the son of a Mexican legend. Willie solidified his position among the top-ranked light middleweight contenders in the world like (Miguel) Cotto, (Erislandy) Lara, (Alfredo) Angulo, (James) Kirkland, and (Vanes) Matirosyan.”

Go online to www.RumbleTimePromotions.com for more information about Nelson or any of his Rumble Time Promotions stable-mates.

Friday the Nevada State Athletic Commission reduced the fine to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. from $900,000 to $100,000 and suspended and fined J’Leon Love for banned substance infractions according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

On a 4-0 vote, the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Friday lowered the massive fine it handed out to Chavez after he tested positive for marijuana following his unanimous decision loss to middleweight champion Sergio Martinez on Sept. 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

In another decision made at Friday’s commission meeting, the panel voted 4-0 to suspend middleweight prospect J’Leon Love of Detroit for six months and fine him $10,000 of his $100,000 purse for a positive drug test. He must also submit a clean urine test before he can fight in Nevada again.

Love, who badly struggled to make the 160-pound weight limit, tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, which is often used to assist in weight loss, following his controversial 10-round decision win against Gabriel Rosado on May 4 on the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Robert Guerrero undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

“I’m the heart of my family,” Love told the commission. “If I fall apart, they fall apart.”

Former Middleweight beltholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr was fine $900,000 and suspended for nine months for his positive post fight drug test following his loss to Sergio Martinez in September that showed that Chavez had marijuana in his system.

“I’d like to apologize to everyone in boxing,” Chavez told the commission. “I know this has been a very bad thing for me and my career. A lot of things have been said about it and my reputation. I respect boxing a lot. I’ve been in it a long time. I try to do the best I can and will continue to try to do the best I can because I love boxing more than ever.”

“The nine months is fine, but a 30 percent fine on a purse of $3 million, that’s extortion,” Chavez promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com. “That means Julio has to make a decision — is he going to contest the fine in court or he can elect not to fight ever again in Nevada. There’s no question the nine months is the nine months, but it’s ridiculous money, particularly since you already take out 30 percent for taxes.

“I was hoping for nine months, that worked out. The fine is an absolute stunner. You don’t do that to an athlete. Which athlete in any sport has been fined as much as $900,000?”

Under questioning from the commissioners, Chavez admitted that he smoked marijuana “eight or nine days before the fight.”

“I feel very bad about the situation,” Chavez said. “I know I committed a big error, a mistake. I wanted everyone to know this has hurt me and that I let a lot of people down. It was a big mistake and I know it has damaged me.”

Chavez was asked why he thought the commission should be lenient on him.

“I’m asking for leniency so I can fight as soon as I can, but I am willing to take my punishment,” he said. “I know I committed an error.”

Asked why he decided to smoke before the fight, Chavez said, “I was told it would help my stress. I was tense for the fight and someone mentioned it to me and that’s why I did it eight or nine days before the fight.”

Chavez would not say who suggested he smoke marijuana other than that it was a “personal friend of mine from Los Angeles.”

Chavez was asked if he had felt pressure before previous fights and answered, “Never like this time.”

On why he smoked marijuana before this fight and not any other, Chavez said, “I couldn’t tell you the exact reason why I did it. I just can tell you I was under a lot of stress and had family problems, a lot of things going on in my life. Just something I did. It was the biggest mistake and I’ll never do it again.”

Chavez said he never smoked before any other fight, but declined to answer whether he had ever smoked marijuana at all, answering only, “I wasn’t myself. I was not thinking properly

“He didn’t answer if he had smoked before and that has an impact on me making a decision,” commissioner Pat Lundvall said.

“He’s well aware of the rules of the commission,” Lundvall said.

“He’s going to fight June 16, we cleared that with the commission,” Arum said. “They told us we can promote the fight during the suspension as long as the fight takes place after the suspension is up. But we were not going to take this fight to Las Vegas anyway. We have a hold on a building in Texas or we may do the fight in the new arena in Mexico City. One thing we won’t do is have Chavez fight in Mexico during the suspension [where he could get a license].”

“The passion caused by the great and sublime in nature, when those causes operate most powerfully, is Astonishment; and astonishment is that state of the soul, in which all its motions are suspended, with some degree of horror.” – Edmund Burke, “A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful, Part Two,” 1757

It is the horror that concerns me. Horror, after all, is what the 18th-century Irishman uniquely identified – an ingredient of astonishment that might otherwise escape us. Horror is what I unknowingly wished to get at the morning after Argentine Sergio Martinez nearly succumbed to his 12th-round sacking by Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Sept. 15 at University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center: “a burst of something so chemically pure the body hates it, an intensity unendurable for more than a few seconds.”

That was the sensation I experienced in the final 90 seconds, or at least the moment of those seconds that started when Martinez, the world’s middleweight champion, collapsed between the ropes, straightened himself, then got pounded rightwards to the mat. There was a sensation of horror, a sensation that something torturous was afoot, and that its consequences would resonate. Without a rooting interest per se (it was my seventh Chavez fight, having first interviewed him in the concourse of America West Arena seven years before; it was my first Martinez fight, having first enjoyed a conversation with him in July, one that treated, in part, Martinez’s delight with John Kennedy Toole’s novel “A Confederacy of Dunces” and its relish of absurdity), I was decidedly more horrified by Chavez’s felling Martinez midway through their final round than any of the 300 flush blows with which Martinez’s black leather striped Chavez’s face and body.

Chavez was not the match’s thinker, not by any stretch, and perhaps that’s why. Throughout, Chavez concerned himself only with striking or blocking while trusting pedigree to guide him through a geometry of the ring others need years to master but Chavez absorbed as a boy spying on his dominant father; Chavez was not setting traps, disproving theories or making inquiries of any Martinez attribute save weakness. Martinez, meanwhile, analyzed every set of Chavez stimuli at every moment, checking it against its immediate predecessor and its forming template, a means of combat more enervating for a person of Chavez’s temperament than even the Argentine’s relentlessly pumping legs and bobbing, uncovered chin would be for someone of Chavez’s flaccid conditioning.

There were several things that happened in round 10, the gravity of whose consequences went at first unnoticed: An accidental banging of heads to which Chavez reacted theatrically and Martinez more subtlety, and when Chavez pushed the back of Martinez’s neck till he dropped him on all fours. I recorded both in my notes but didn’t assign either sufficient import. The headbutt opened a gash inside Martinez’s scalp line, and if it did that, it dazed him, too, setting his magnificent brain misfiring. But the way Martinez had to lift himself from the mat was more significant still: It revealed his fatigue.

There is something naturally stressful about being chased by a larger man, especially one intellectually incapable of dissuasion or discouragement, but each movement Martinez’s legs made till that instant they’d made through training camp, and their fatigue was a slow-mounting thing. Rising from his knees, though, put Martinez’s legs in a unique enough position to shock him with how much strength had fled, and his jaw dropped in a large O that remained through the explosive finish.

“But pain is always inflicted by a power in some way superior, because we never submit to pain willingly. So that strength, violence, pain, and terror, are ideas that rush in upon the mind together.”

Here again Burke instructs us. However devastating Martinez’s blows to Chavez’s head were, no matter their longterm consequences, Chavez’s punches were more dramatic to behold, because they more evidently pained the smaller man, causing a submission Martinez did not expect, did not in any conscious way allow for – more macho than his rivals know – but, in empathy, must have imagined. There was an imposition of will in the final round, when Chavez succeeded, mostly, in brutalizing a man 15 or so pounds smaller, and it followed the moment Martinez came off his stool in misplaced triumph, gloves raised as if the ordeal were over, and Chavez lumbered off his stool like a man not even keeping a tally of lashes, rounds or punches – a tormentor in his own timezone, one devoid of urgency, a man who a round earlier had to silence his ferocious father’s barking from behind by saying over his left shoulder, “ya, ya, ya (enough, enough, enough).” For paternal prodding and its impatience with spectacle, actually, were all that agitated Chavez the whole evening.

“Beauty in distress is much the most affecting beauty.”

In Part Three of his classical treatment of aesthetics, Burke explored the linguistic ploy every culture uses of making the beautiful diminutive and the ugly large. Chavez, in the moment of the 12th round he spun Martinez for a second time to his knees and elbows on the mat, remains ogre-like in my mind, careless, insatiable, enormous, ugly. Martinez, I see, reduced to tininess, preciousness – enfeebled and distressed. He would swell to normal size a half minute later, with the paddled apron’s signal of 10 seconds, but those moments of Martinez’s diminishment and fragility hold within them, for me, the door to another chamber of prizefighting’s palatial appeal.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, last Saturday night’s Middleweight showdown between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez drew an estimated 475,000 Pay Per View buys.

“It’s an extremely solid number,” said the head of HBO PPV Mark Taffet. “I expect the figures to go up as we collect more of them.”

“It significantly exceeded our original expectations of 250,000 buys,” Taffet said. “Fight fans had been talking about and looking forward to Chavez-Martinez for a year. The pay-per-view performance simply reflects that the fans got the fight they wanted.”

“Pay-per-view fights typically have an average of five or more viewers per household,” he said. “Based on the group viewing phenomenon of pay-per-view, it’s likely well over 2 million people watched the fight.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has tested positive for Marijuana following his unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Sergio Martinez this past Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“The commission let (Top Rank’s Carl) Moretti know (Tuesday) night that he tested positive,” said Chavez promoter Bob Arum. “I can’t really get excited about it. There’s no promoter in boxing who could pass the marijuana test, including myself.

“Julio is going to have to explain to the commission what happened and the commission will be guided accordingly. If there was a trace of marijuana, to me, it’s not the same as using a performance-enhancing drug. That is cheating.”

“I will release the results from the event once I get them all back, but Top Rank’s statement is an accurate reflection of the conversation I had with them (Tuesday),” Kizer said. “We had a positive test, one from that card.”

“Of course, we’re disappointed in him,” Arum said. “Hopefully, he can learn a lesson here and next time get in top shape for the fight. But it shows you the immaturity here. He needs to grow up.”

“Of course, we’re disappointed in him,” Arum said. “Hopefully, he can learn a lesson here and next time get in top shape for the fight. But it shows you the immaturity here. He needs to grow up.”

New York, NY (9/19/12) – Just hours before he was to step into the ring for the most important fight of his life against the now former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., The Ring Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez took the time to make a dream come true for one special family.

Days before the fight, Martinez’ camp received a touching letter stating that a family of five was driving 550 miles from Albuquerque, NM, to attend the fight to see Sergio, their favorite fighter. The family’s two oldest sons are severely disabled, with the oldest suffering from Cerebral Palsy while his brother has Downs Syndrome. The oldest son’s birthday had just passed on September 14, and while they knew their request “would be a stretch,” they asked if Sergio could meet the boys.

“Even though I was deep in my preparation and focused on the fight later that night, my team told me about a special request from a fan who was traveling very far with his sons to see my fight. I learned about the hardships that both of his sons face and that it would be a birthday surprise if I met with them and posed for a photo. There was no way I was going to let them down.”

“I believe that Karma is powerful,” said Martinez’ promoter Lou DiBella. “Sergio met with these young men just hours before his fight, rearranging his schedule to do so. He invited no press or camera crews and it had nothing to do with last minute promotion. It had to do with a sense of compassion and social responsibility by a kind, good hearted man.”

After meeting the family, Sergio went on to reclaim the WBC Middleweight Championship–which had been stripped from him–and defend his The Ring Middleweight Championship with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Chavez Jr.

LAS VEGAS – Two major cards separated by a short ride looked like an accident about to happen. Look again. Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at Thomas & Mack Center and Canelo Alvarez-Josesito Lopez at the MGM Grand were a lot of things. It was a good night to wear a sombrero. It was a long night in line for a cab and a longer line at the bar.

It was one shot of Pancho Villa, a shot of Peron, another shot of soccer and endless shots of tequila. Above all, it was thoroughly Vegas, at least Vegas before the recession. It was also boxing at its best, which also means some of its worst. Nothing can be so irresistible and so distasteful at the same time.

But there it was Saturday night, a double shot and 180 proof of what is so compelling about a sport that just won’t die no matter how hard it tries to kill itself.

It was impossible to see the depth of its unique resiliency Saturday. I tried. But there was just too much to see. My night started at the MGM Grand. It ended at Thomas & Mack with a brilliant victory by Sergio Martinez, who survived a wild 12th-round comeback from Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

My cab driver predicted the winner. But not the drama.

“Martinez by knockout,’’ the driver said beneath an old cowboy hat that he had to have been wearing 25 years ago when he collected fares from fans who watched Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin, Hagler, Robert Duran and Thomas Hearns.

But it was Chavez who almost won by knockout. Chavez sent Martinez spinning down and onto the canvas in the 12th round, immediately conjuring up memories of how his dad, Julio Cesar Legend, beat Meldrick Taylor with two seconds left so long ago.

An encore for the Chavez family didn’t happen, not even on a weekend celebrating Mexican Independence. Chavez blamed himself after losing a unanimous decision. He said he started his stubborn assault too late. Martinez, a proud Argentine, also put himself in harm’s way when he didn’t have to. In the end, however, Martinez wouldn’t let Chavez steal a victory or the middleweight title he had ensured himself on the scorecards. Argue with Chavez’ early rounds. Argue with Martinez’ last round.

But don’t argue with the climactic finish. A record crowd of 19,187 at Thomas & Mack loved it. Mexicans and Argentines, alike, cheered loudly, filling the old basketball arena with chants that echoed down the aisles and through time.

Boxing isn’t back. It never left.

Not long after leaving the MGM Grand, super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez scored a fifth-round KO of Josesito Lopez in a bout that was probably more significant for the number of people in the seats than it was for the victory. The undersized Lopez was overmatched. Canelo had been favored by odds as big as 14-1. Yet, a capacity crowd of 14,275 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena showed up. There’s been a nasty debate between Golden Boy Promotions and rival Top Rank about how many tickets were sold and at what price. Yet on a night when Canelo was a laughable favorite in a Golden Boy promotion up against Top Rank’s intriguing Martinez-Chavez Jr. showdown, Canelo filled the seats.

“That underlines just how big an attraction Canelo is,’’ Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said.

It underlines much more than that. Two cards within a couple of miles of each other drew a total of 33,462 fans. That’s no accident.

LAS VEGAS – And in an instant, Martinez-Chavez went from Pacquiao-De La Hoya to Chavez-Taylor.

Not since Manny Pacquiao retired Oscar De La Hoya had a small southpaw looked so profoundly dominant against a larger titlist as Sergio Martinez looked against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for 11 rounds. And not since Chavez Sr. came back to stop Meldrick Taylor in the final seconds of a fight he was losing lopsidedly had such a profound change of fortunes been brought to a world champion the way Chavez brought it to Martinez in the 12th.

Saturday night, in a match at Thomas & Mack Arena that disappointed all expectations of suspense for 33 minutes before becoming an unforgettable thing in its final three, Argentine middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (50-2-2, 28 KOs) rose from the canvas in the final round to survive and decision Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1-1, 32 KOs) by unanimous scores of 117-110, 118-109 and 118-109. The 15rounds.com ringside scorecard concurred, marking 117-110 for Martinez – while marking the final round 10-7 for Chavez.

“We are two professionals,” Martinez said afterwards. “And we comported ourselves as professionals.”

The fight began the way all prognosticators believed it would. Martinez’s class was too much for Chavez in the first round and each of its successors. What little sense of geometry Chavez showed in the opening round, extending Martinez’s circles to the perimeter somewhat, was gone by the third.

“I began slowly,” Chavez said in the ring after the judges’ cards were read. “But I will not do that in the rematch.”

In fact, not till the sixth round did Chavez land anything consequential. Though Chavez was the much larger man, Martinez was the far more balletic, polished, athletic and accurate, hitting Chavez with nifty left uppercut leads and other inventive combinations. Chavez, sporting a knee brace and suffering abrasions and swelling round both eyes, was not dissuaded, however.

“This confirms me in boxing,” said Martinez, to an outnumbered but surprisingly vocal Argentinean group of fans. “Long live Argentina!”

More fatigued than he knew as the bell for the 12th rang, Martinez walked into a short Chavez left hook that wobbled and shocked him in the final two minutes. Martinez’s eyes bulged and he collapsed in the ropes. A pair of rights and lefts from Chavez then tossed him limply to the canvas. But Martinez rose, ran, held, slipped, and ultimately punched his way to the final bell, as suddenly enchanted Mexican fans rabidly urged their man on.

“Of course,” Martinez said when asked if he would grant Chavez a rematch.

“Long live Mexico!” cried Chavez at the end of his postfight interview.

ROMAN MARTINEZ VS. MIGUEL BELTRAN JR.
In an attempt at prophecy, or at least wishful thinking, Saturday’s excellent Top Rank co-main event featured a hard-pressing Mexican slugger named “Junior” against a foreigner named Martinez. Unfortunately for the emotional Mexican crowd, the Mexican did not prevail.

Fighting for a vacant WBO super featherweight title, Puerto Rican Roman Martinez (26-1-1, 16 KOs) sneaked past Mexican Miguel Beltran Jr. (27-2-0-1, 17 KOs), besting him by split-decision scores of 116-111, 113-114 and 113-114. The fight would have been a majority draw, were it not for a penalty assessed to Beltran in the championship rounds.

Each round of Martinez-Beltran featured punches both well leveraged and well landed by both fighters, but in each of the opening six rounds, regardless of what Martinez did, Beltran appeared to do a little more. In the sixth, Beltran landed the match’s most-devastating punch, a right cross that snapped Martinez’s head back between his own shoulder blades.

The seventh round, though, saw Martinez begin to establish a more effective attack, catching Beltran on the way in, with oddly placed punches. But by the middle of the eighth, Beltran again appeared the stronger man. By the end of the 10th, Martinez, game as he was, did not appear to want much more.

The 11th brought a point deduction to Beltran’s tally from overly officious Nevada referee Russell Mora, though, tightening ringside scorecards somewhat. Martinez also flurried in the 12th, appearing to steal that stanza as well. Ultimately, the fight was a close one that might have gone either way and probably should have gone the way of a majority draw.

MATTHEW MACKLIN VS. JOACHIM ALCINE
Matthew Macklin makes his ring entrance to a hybrid song of “Mack the Knife” and “Rocky Road to Dublin,” in a two-part nod to his nickname and heritage. But Saturday, he didn’t have to take his opponent very far down a rocky road before knifing him.

In the penultimate match of the evening’s undercard, Macklin (29-4, 20 KOs) caught Canadian middleweight Joachim Alcine (33-3-1, 19 KOs) with a flush right cross in the opening moments of the fight then marched him down, dropped him a second time and brought the match to an exciting knockout conclusion at 2:36 of round 1.

Despite a record with four losses on it, Macklin again proved that he can rally a crowd and make an exciting, satisfying match whomever he is given for an opponent.

GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX VS. ROBERTO MARROQUIN
After a 2010 showing in Cowboys Stadium that brought loud boos from those fans not yawning, Cuban super bantamweight Guillermo Rigondeaux needed two years of exciting knockouts to make fans forget how displeasing his defense-first style can be. Saturday in Thomas & Mack Arena, though, they were reminded once more.

Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs) successfully, and rather easily, defended his WBA super bantamweight title against tough if limited Texan Roberto Marroquin (22-2, 15 KOs) by unanimous scores of 118-108, 118-108 and 118-109. And if there is a prizefighter today who fights like Floyd Mayweather as well as Mayweather does, he is Rigondeaux, right down to the cautiousness.

Rigondeaux established a superiority of reflex over Marroquin – a superiority of reflex Rigondeaux enjoys over most every opponent he faces – and then put the match on a form of cruise control that did little to entice fans. Possessed of every punch and step in the boxing lexicon, Rigondeaux does not appear to enjoy physical matches with larger men, and he certainly did not look for one with Marroquin, who appeared a weight class or two larger than Rigondeaux on Saturday.

Twice in the match Marroquin managed to land a pulled left hook that temporarily destabilized the Cuban southpaw’s otherwise flawless footing, but from each of those faux scares, Rigondeaux quickly recovered and returned to mastering Marroquin technically if not combatively.

In round 10, bored by Rigondeaux-Marroquin, the crowd – partisan Mexican though with an Argentinean contingent – began to sing futbol songs at one another till the match was over, despite Rigondeaux’s scoring the match’s one knockdown in its final two minutes.

MIKE LEE VS. PAUL HARNESS
Mike Lee is undoubtedly the best light heavyweight on the Notre Dame campus, but he is decidedly not the best light heavyweight in the world. Further evidence of this came at the midway point of Saturday’s undercard when Lee (11-0, 6 KOs) whacked away at Kansas City opponent Paul Harness (4-4-1, 3 KOs) for four rounds and ultimately prevailed by unanmious scores of 40-36, 40-36 and 40-36.

Questions about Lee’s power – he landed at least four clean right hands in every round without once felling Harness – and his defense, though, remain, and grow, with every showing. Despite leading comfortably in the fourth round, Lee nevertheless was tagged by several knee-buckling shots by Harness.

UNDERCARD
Highly regarded super welterweight John Jackson brought his undefeated record in the Thomas & Mack Center ring for Saturday’s third bout, against Cleveland’s Willie Nelson, and Jackson’s ‘0’ left the ring before Jackson did. In a close fight that might have been scored either way, Nelson (19-1-1, 11
KOs) decisioned Nelson (13-1, 12 KOs) by unanimous scores of 96-94, 96-94 and 98-92.

Before that, in an eight-round super welterweight match, Mexican Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs) scored a lopsided decision victory over North Carolinian James Winchester (15-5, 5 KOs). All three judges had the match 80-70 for Medina.

The evening began with an eight-round, unanimous-decision victory for California welterweight Wale Omotoso (23-0, 19 KOs) over Puerto Rican Daniel Sostre (11-7-1, 4 KOs).

Opening bell rang on a sparsely populated Thomas & Mack Center at 3:17 PM local time.

Follow all the action from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas as the long awaited Middleweight championship showdown with take place featuring recognized world xhampion Sergio Martinez and WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The action kicks off with a five fight undercard at 8pm eastern/ 5 pm Pacific featuring two world title bouts as WBA Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux defends against Robert Marroquin. The WBO Super Featherweight title will be contested by Rocky Martinez and Miguel Beltran Jr. Also Joachim Alcine battles Matthew Macklin an and appearance by Notre Dame favorite Mike Lee.

12 ROUNDS–WBC MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE–SERGIO MARTINEZ (49-2-2, 28 KO’S) VS JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. (46-0-1, 32 KO’S)

Round 1 Martinez lands a left..Chavez lands a right to the body…Sergio more active…10-9 Martinez

Round 2 Hard left from Martinez…Body shot from Chavez…Combination and body shot from Martinez..Body shot and a jab..right hook from Martinez..Good body work on the ropes...20-18 Martinez

Round 3 Hard left from Martinez..Hard left from Chavez..Good body shot..Martinez landing to the body..Left hook from Martinez..straight left…Blood from the mouth of Chavez…30-27 Martinez

Round 4 Martinez lands a left..short right hook..Hard right from Chavez…hard right…Left/body from Martinez..Chavez landing left to the body..Big left from Martinez at the bell…40-36 Martinez

Round 5 Martinez lands 2 lefts to the body…50-45 Martinez

Round 6 Chavez lands a couple little shots in the corner..2 good rights…Good body shot..big rally from Martinez…Martinez picking Chavez apart…60-54 Martinez

Round 7 Straight left..Counter left…4 hard lefts on the ropes…Chavez landing and eating shots in return..70-63 Martinez

Round 8 Wide right from Chavez..Martinez going to the body..2 good left hooks from Chavez..Blood from Martinez left eye…79-73 Martinez

Round 9 Martinez lands a combination…89-82 Martinez

Round 10 2 good rights and 2 more from Martinez…body..Jab…99-91 Martinez

Round 11Great action with Chavez landing hard shots…Martinez landing in return…Martinez favce bloody…108-101 Martinez

Round 12 Big right hurts Martinez..WOW…CHAVEZ ALL OVER MARTINEZ AND DROPS HIM….MARTINEZ IS BLEEDING AND HURT…ITS A WAR…MARTINEZ LOOKS LIKE HE WILL GET OUT OF THE ROUND….116-111 Martinez

12 Rounds–WBO Super Featherweight Title–Ramon Martinez (25-1-1, 16 KO”s) vs Miguel Beltran Jr. (27-1, 17 KO’s)

Round 1 Hard right from Beltran…2 more rights…10-9 Beltran

Round 2 Good left hook from Martinez…19-19

Round 3 Trading shots …29-29

Round 4 Beltran pounding Martinez in the corner…Hard right from Martinez..Good left hook..Martinez lands a good right…39-38 Beltran

Round 5 Beltran lands a hard right…Big left and right from Martinez…Beltran lands a right…Blood from the left eye of Beltran…48-48

Round 6 Beltran lands a counter uppercut..Good right from Beltran..58-57 Beltran

Round 7 Good body shot from Beltran…Hard body shot…Good combo from Martinez…Good body shot from Beltran…68-66 Beltran

Round 8 Good uppercut and body shot from Beltran…left hook to the body..78-75 Beltran

Round 9 Hard right from Beltran...88-84 Beltran

Round 10 Beltran lands a left and right..Body shot..98-93 Beltran

Round 11 Good right from Beltran..Martinez 4 punch combination…Hard right from Beltran…POINT DEDUCTED FROM BELTRAN FOR HITTING BEHIND THE HEAD…Good right from Beltran…106-103 Beltran

Round 12 Martinez lands a right…115-113 Beltran

116-111 Beltran; 114-113 Martinez; 114-113 Martinez

10 Rounds–Middleweight–Matthew Macklin (28-4, 19 KO’s) vs. Joachim Alcine (33-2-1, 19 KO’s)

Round 1 HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES ALCINE….Macklin ALL OVER ALCINE AND DOWN GOES ALCINE FROM A LEFT HOOK…2 HUGE BODY SHOTS AND A FLURRY AND REFEREE JAY NADY STOPS THE FIGHT

MACKLIN TOK 1 AT 2:36

12 Rounds–WBA Super Bantamweight Title–Guillermo Rigondeaux (10-0, 8 KO’s) vs Robert Marroquin (22-1, 15 KO’s)

Round 1 not mucj…10-10

Round 2 Rigondeuax lands a counter left…20-19 Rigondeuax

Round 3 Marroquin lands a hard left hook…Straight right…29-29

Round 4 Right from Rigondeuax..Marroquin landsa left hook..39-39

Round 5 PERFECT LEFT DOWNS GOES MARROQUIN..49-47 Rigondeaux

Round 6 Rigondeuax lands a left to the body..59-56

Round 7 69-66

Round 8 Rigondeaux lands a big left..Good body…Marroquin lands a left hook to the body…79-75 Rigondeaux

Round 9: Left from Marroquin drives Rigo into the corner…Right hand..88-85 Rigondeaux

Round 10 Rigondeuax lands a uppercut to the body..leaping uppercut and another..98-94 Rigondeaux

Round 11 Good straight left from Rigondeaux..Good right from Marroquin…Body shots from Rigondeuax..108-103 Rigondeaux

Round 12 HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MARROQUIN…118-111 Rigondeaux

118-108, 118-108, 118-109…RIGONDEAUX

10 Rounds–Jr. Middleweights–Willie Nelson (18-1-1, 11 KO’s) vs John Jackson (13-0, 12 KO’s)

Round 3 Jackson going to the body…

Round 4Nelson lands a hard right and left hook..Right down the middle

Round 5 Nelson Active

Round 6

Round 7

LAS VEGAS – The weekend’s first upset happened Friday, and it wasn’t by way of a punch at Thomas & Mack Center. In what may turn out to be the greatest surprise of Martinez-Chavez, barring of course an early stoppage, Argentine Sergio Martinez outweighed Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Friday afternoon at Wynn Las Vegas’ Encore Theater. But if either man was surprised, neither showed it.

Martinez, considered by most to be a small middleweight champion, and Chavez, considered by all to be an enormous middleweight titlist, shared a one-pound disparity on the scale: Martinez made 159, and Chavez made 158.

“He said it’s going to be a war,” Martinez said immediately after a talkative stare-down with Chavez that followed both making weight for their middleweight world championship match. “I want a war.”

Martinez, known as much for his cool demeanor and handsome countenance as his jazzy southpaw style, appeared uncharacteristically anxious Friday afternoon. Dressed in a black sweatsuit and dark shades, Martinez preceded Chavez to the stage and the scale and made a show of rallying a small Argentinean contingent waiving robin’s-egg-blue and white flags, stage left.

“He said that he is going to rip my head off,” said Chavez, when asked what words Martinez spoke to him after he climbed off the scale. Then Chavez, easily the cooler character Friday, laughed and shrugged.

While Saturday’s match for the lineal middleweight championship of the world – along with belts from The Ring, WBC and surely a few others – will be the biggest fight of both men’s careers, Chavez shows the demeanor of a man who knows other superfights will inevitably follow. Martinez, about whom the same cannot be said, appears to be channeling some of his handlers’ nervousness.

Part of what led to onlookers’ general surprise at Friday’s weighin, and specifically Chavez’s coming-in two pounds under the middleweight limit, were reports of undertraining by the Mexican champion. Numerous sources reported Chavez had skipped scheduled sessions with trainer Freddie Roach during his camp, preferring to work-out at home instead.

But Chavez’s promoter, Top Rank, expressed no concern. Chavez made weight easily, and apparently needs little instruction in how to cut-off a prizefighting ring, as he is expected to have to do against Martinez on Saturday.

Early Friday afternoon, one last thread of controversy was stitched in the Martinez-Chavez tapestry: Trainer Nazim Richardson will attend the wrapping of Chavez’s hands in behalf of the Martinez camp, Saturday. Richardson, of course, was the man who caught a hardening substance on the wraps of Antonio Margarito before the Mexican champion’s 2009 match with Shane Mosley.

Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer said on Friday that while he’ll be at both of Saturday’s fight cards – Martinez-Chavez, and Saul Alvarez vs. Josesito Lopez a few blocks away at MGM Grand Garden Arena – the main event he’ll be attending is Chavez-Martinez, as Kizer anticipates potential prefight controversy at Thomas & Mack Center.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

LAS VEGAS – News conferences came like a one-two punch Wednesday and Thursday for dueling promotions Saturday night featuring Sergio Martinez-versus-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at Thomas & Mack Center and Canelo Alvarez-Josesito Lopez at the MGM Grand.

It’s been a rhetorical food fight, boxing’s version of Republicans and Democrats after back-to-back conventions. First, it’s Top Rank to the bully pulpit. Then, it’s Golden Boy’s turn. It’s Home Box Office- versus-Showtime. Ego-against-ego. An insult-fest. But should it be?

After widespread criticism for scheduling two major cards on the same night and amid all the ongoing negativity, there’s a chance at some numbers that might put a surprising spin on the business. Attendance at each could provide a powerful counter to an epitaph so often repeated, yet never proven.

If boxing is really dying, then a lot of people – maybe more than 30,000 at two venues within a couple miles of each other – have yet to hear the news.

There’s plenty of debate about box-office numbers promised by Golden Boy for Alvarez-Lopez in a 154-pound bout televised by Showtime. Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya said Thursday at the Canelo-Lopez news conference that 13,000 tickets had been sold.

“We are expecting a sellout,’’ De La Hoya said of a weekend celebrating Mexican Independence.

Top Rank doesn’t believe it. On the surprise meter, that ranks somewhere between zero and yawn. If the situation was reversed – and it will be one day, Golden Boy wouldn’t believe it either. Remember, Republicans and Democrats trust each other more than Top Rank and Golden Boy do.

For Martinez-Chavez, Jr., in a HBO pay-per-view bout for the middleweight title, Top Rank already has a sellout, 19,186, a boxing record at Thomas & Mack. Even if a sellout is announced for Alvarez-Lopez, there will be suggestions that Golden Boy gave away tickets to get there.

As of Thursday, it wasn’t clear what number Golden Boy needed for a sellout. Seating capacity at The MGM Grand Garden Arena has been 14,800. But Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said 2,000 seats can be added before Saturday’s opening bell. If there’s time to construct the addition and the seats are filled, the crowd would be announced at 16,800. Add the Thomas & Mack sellout, and the total would be 35,186.

“That would tell you a lot about the sport,’’ Schaefer said.

With apologies to Mark Twain, t would tell you that all those dire warnings of imminent death are greatly exaggerated.

It might also tell you what could happen if Golden Boy and Top Rank made peace and did business together. But that’s another story, if not a miracle. It didn’t sound as if peace were even a remote possibility Thursday. The irony is that the fighters were the diplomats. Canelo and Lopez praised each other. The only real trash talk came from Keith Kizer, the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s executive.

In an apparent reference to the controversy over the judging of Tim Bradley’s decision over Manny Pacquiao in June at the MGM Grand, Kizer seemed to take exception at HBO’s criticism of judges Duane Ford, CJ Ross and Jerry Roth.

“There was another fight here in June, but some of the veterans at ringside that felt badly that night won’t feel so bad this time, because HBO, (Jim) Lampley and (Harold) Lederman won’t be there,’’ Kizer said. “I like the Showtime announcers much better.’’

Kizer’s shot followed one at Showtime from Top Rank’s Bob Arum.

“Half the people who’ve got Showtime don’t know they have it,’’ Arum said.

Shot, counter-shot. The beat goes on.

But if predictions are fulfilled and the numbers add up Saturday night, there won’t be an argument about whether the business still has a heartbeat.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (September 11, 2012) – This week’s Méxican Independence Day weekend World Middleweight Championship event between undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion and Son of the Legend, JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR. (46-0-1, 32 KOs), of Culiacán, México, and two-division world champion and pound for pound kingpin with the matinee idol looks, SERGIO “Maravilla” MARTÍNEZ (49-2-2, 28 KOs), of Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina, sold its last remaining tickets today at 1:58 p.m. PT. Chávez Jr. vs. Martínez will become the highest-attended boxing event in the history of the Thomas & Mack Center with 19,186 seats, eclipsing the Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield heavyweight championship rematch, which previously held the record with 19,151.

“Viva Chávez and Martínez,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “The last two tickets were purchased just before 2 p.m. PT and our sellout has produced a paid gate of over $3 million. How appropriate that on the eve of the 20th anniversary of Julio César Chávez vs. Hector Camacho, the Thomas & Mack’s fourth highest-attended event [17,972], which took place on September 12, 1992, that Julio César Chávez, Jr. surpass his father’s record in an epic fight of his own. Father and son will be forever linked as two of the highest-attended paid boxing events in the building’s history. Naturally, the live pay-per-view telecast will be available to all cable and satellite TV systems in the Las Vegas area.”

“This is a celebration about everything that is great about boxing,” said promoter Lou DiBella. “This is obviously a fight that everyone wanted to see and thanks to Sergio and Julio everyone will have the opportunity to see — live on pay-per-view. I strongly recommend that boxing fans in the Las Vegas area buy their tickets to the closed circuit screenings at Wynn Las Vegas now before they sell out too.”

Promoted by Top Rank®, Zanfer Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, in association with Wynn Las Vegas, AT&T and Tecate, the Chávez Jr. vs. Martínez Middleweight Championship Event will take place Saturday, September 15, Méxican Independence Day Weekend, at the Thomas & Mack Center, on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Remaining tickets to the Wynn Las Vegas closed circuit presentation are priced at $70 for reserved seating in the intimate Encore Theater and $50 for general admission in the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn. Tickets are inclusive of applicable taxes and fees and can be purchased by calling (702) 770-7118, through the website wynnlasvegas.com or by visiting the Wynn Ticket Office (Friday-Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. PT / Wednesday-Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. PT) or the Wynn Concierge (Daily: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. PT.)

The Chávez Jr. vs. Martínez world championship telecast, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com and at www.facebook.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #ChavezMartinez to join the conversation on Twitter. For Chávez Jr. vs. Martínez updates log on to www.toprank.com, www.dbe1.com or www.hbo.com.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

September 11, 2012 – Gary Shaw Productions newly crowded unified WBA and IBF middleweight champion, Daniel “Real Deal” Geale (29-1, 15 KOs), is scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas this week to be ringside at the September 15, 2012, Julio Chavez Jr. (46-0-1, 32 KOs) vs. Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 28 KOs) showdown, taking place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Geale, coming off his most impressive victory where he dethroned Germany’s Felix Sturm (37-3-2, 16 KOs), is interested to see who comes out victorious between Chavez Jr. and Martinez, as a possible fight with the winner could be next for him.

“The winner of Chavez Jr. and Martinez could be my next opponent,” said Daniel Geale. “I’m willing to fight the best out there and my promoter Gary Shaw is ready to make it happen. It’s an interesting fight and the winner puts himself in a great position to challenge me. I never shy away from a great test and I’ll be ready to go when Gary Shaw tells me who my next opponent will be.”

Geale’s fellow countryman, undefeated featherweight contender Joel Brunker (23-0, 13 KOs), who scheduled to make his U.S. debut on October 27, 2012, will join him while they both attend fight week activities.

“I’m excited to be traveling to the United States and be present for Chavez Jr. vs. Martinez,” stated Brunker. “I’ll remain in the States and start my training camp in preparation for my fight scheduled for October 27th. Daniel Geale and I both want to show the United States audience what we are made of.”

“I’m extremely excited to be promoting the best fighters out of Australia,” Shaw said. “Grange Old School Gym has been fantastic working with me and Daniel Geale, and it’s been a pleasure working with Angelo DiCarlo with Joel Brunker. The future looks bright for my company being that we have a great working relationship with all the top talent from the land down under.”