Maravilla unplugged: Rips Chavez Jr, Top Rank, and Poochiao

Let's talk about your present and future in boxing, more specifically about a potential Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight. Do you think it will happen in September? If it doesn't, what would be the main reason for that?
I have repeatedly said that he is scared, because yes, he is scared. He is afraid I'm gonna kick his ass, to be honest with you. I am gonna give him the butt-whupping of his life. He knows it, I know it, his father knows it, his promoter knows it, his coach knows it, everybody knows it. I am ready, motivated and more eager than ever. If it hasn't happened already, it's because [he is scared]. Everybody in his corner is aware of what is going to happen if he fights me. I'm not saying it will be an easy fight, but I am going to hit him from beginning to end, until he hits the ground or the ref stops the fight.

Do you think he is a byproduct of his father's fame and not much else?
He is the "Son of the Legend." That says it all. I, Sergio Martinez, couldn't possibly live with my father's nickname. He should forge his own path, but he is called the "Son of the Legend" instead. Poor guy. Well, if he enjoys it, good for him. Perfect. I wouldn't live that way.



If you had to write a letter to convince Chavez to fight you, what would it say?
First and foremost, that the fight would enhance his credibility. Not his credibility for the rest of the world, but for his own Mexican countrymen. Credibility. Nobody believes in him in Mexico, nobody. They say, "Well, Chavez is the champion, but Martinez is the best." Second, he should remember that the all-time great middleweight champions never dodged fighting anybody. Now Chavez is dodging even the optional opponents. Not just the mandatory ones, but the optional ones, too.



Is that something that has become a trend now, dodging optional opponents to fight?
Unfortunately, the promoters are to blame for that. Top Rank is the most guilty party. They planted a tree, and it came out crooked. One sees today's boxers and fights, and it's ridiculous. Some of Chavez's fights were ridiculous. OK, he fought Marco Antonio Rubio, but not counting him, what top-20 fighter did he face? No one. And he is the champion. That's a joke and an affront to boxing fans everywhere, to the paying customer.

Who would you like to fight before your career is over?
The main guy is [Floyd] Mayweather. The rest are a matter of circumstance, nothing more.



Why Mayweather?
Because he is the best and most talented boxer in the world.



Better than Pacquiao?
Light years better. There is no comparison. Mayweather is a thousand times more talented than Pacquiao.

How do you see Mayweather's and Pacquiao's next fights playing out?
Both of them have tough but winnable matchups. Pacquiao's story is very weird. How long has it been since he fought someone on the pound-forpound list? Look at what happened when he fought Marquez. Even though he beat [Oscar] De La Hoya, who was maybe the last great opponent he fought, De La Hoya was far from his prime, promoting things left and right. [Pacquiao] squeezed [Antonio] Margarito, made [Miguel] Cotto lose weight, too. It's always the same, always a business. Pacquiao is a lie. He isn't the best pound-for-pound fighter, he shouldn't even be among the best three. Mayweather is the best, and the rest of us fight for second.



Then why is everyone so fascinated with Pacquiao?
Because he has an excellent marketing team. Nowadays, you can mold a boxer out of nothing. Chavez Jr. is living proof of that.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/7857035/julio-cesar-chavez-jr-overprotected-kid

 

Good catch. I hate typos. I don't know how I missed that.