by Rick Reeno
The recognized middleweight champion, Sergio Martinez, is happy to hear that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is willing to face him in the fall. Martinez has secured an HBO televised date of October 1. This coming Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Chavez will challenge Sebastian Zbik for the WBC middleweight title. Martinez, who plans to sit at ringside, wants the winner. Zbik has already agreed to face Martinez, and now Chavez appears to be willing as well.
"I'm willing to fight anyone. Martinez is a great champion. I want to fight against the best and if I win, then yeah it would be a good fight, and the fight would take place at 160-pounds," Chavez told Edgar Solorzano.
Martinez is hoping that Chavez directs his promoters, Top Rank, to make the fight. BoxingScene.com was advised that Martinez believes Top Rank will attempt to steer Chavez in another direction.
"I accept the challenge and I'm holding my date for Chavez. If Chavez wins, I hope that Chavez will have the guts and the pride to tell Top Rank to make the fight. While its a difficult fight for Chavez, it's the right thing to do. Not only will it show the public that he can be a champion, but also a man's man. I will be sitting ringside when Chavez fights Zbik, and rooting for the best man to win. I wish Chavez a safe and good fight," Martinez said.