Steve Collins on Chavez Jr vs Martinez:
“I would fancy Macklin against Chavez Jr
more than I do Martinez.”
Former Super Middleweight champion Steve Collins returns to the Primetime studio on 15th September for Chavez Jr vs Martinez, live from the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas. We sat down with the ‘Celtic Warrior to discuss the fights.
Matthew Macklin will be looking to get back that winning feeling against Joachim Alcine after back to back losses to Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez.
“This is one of the toughest fights Matthew Macklin will have in his career” said Collins
“I thought he beat Felix Sturm. He went to Germany, took on the German golden boy in his back yard and was unlucky to walk away without the decision. His next fight against Martinez it just wasn’t his night, he’s had two back to back fights against two of the toughest middleweights in the world and he’s done himself justice in each one.”
“This next fight he has coming up against Alcine is not an easy fight, he needs to win this fight or he will find it hard to get back in again for contention for another senior title.”
“Macklin will be an improved fighter if he gets this next win under his belt. Knowing he put Martinez down will boost his confidence.”
“Macklin’s been in with good fighters throughout his career and has been successful. Alcine, meanwhile, hasn’t been in with the pedigree of opponent that Macklin has.”
“Also, Alcine hasn’t stopped anybody since 2008 and he’s lost 2 of his last 6 fights, 1 by KO 1 by TKO. But Alcine is the WBC International champion so Macklin is not just up against an opponent; he’s up against a legitimate contender.”
In the main event Sergio Martinez, at 37, faces the 26 year old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr as he attempts to regain the WBC crown he never actually lost.
“At 37, Sergio Martinez will be past his best” stated Collins.
“He’s still a hell of a fighter. He’s been around a long time and he’s beaten some great fighters. Kelly Pavlik a couple of years ago was a great win. He’s beaten Darren Barker and Macklin in his last couple of fights and is still a good enough fighter to beat anyone out there.”
“Chavez Jr started fighting at 17 at Lightweight, and has moved up the divisions to the Middleweight division. However I don’t think he has the power and strength to take on a big Middleweight.”
“Chavez Jr has had a few technical knockouts in his last few fights, but he hasn’t had genuine knockouts at Middleweight. I do wonder if he has the power and strength at Middleweight.”
“Martinez is another who isn’t a big middleweight but Macklin is a big Middleweight and I would fancy Macklin against Chavez Jr more than I do Martinez.”
“Macklin is a big, powerful and strong middleweight. Chavez has the experience and has great moves, but would he have the power to cope with Macklin. I don’t know?”
“I do fancy Chavez Jr over Martinez because of the age gap, and Chavez Jr has so much ability and talent.”
“For me Chavez is the slight favourite in this fight but anything can happen, but if I was to pick two winners it would be Chavez and Macklin.”
“For Martinez to win he’ll have to do something exceptional, probably win at least 8 out of 12 rounds to get the WBC boys to give him a decision. I can’t see him doing that.”
“Martinez needs to knock Chavez Jr out, but I don’t think he’ll have enough power to knock him out.”
“So I see Chavez Jr retaining his title and I see Macklin digging down deep, showing heart to win. Hopefully we can get Chavez Jr vs Macklin next. That’s the fight I want to see.”
You can order the Chavez Jr vs Martinez card for only £14.95 by calling 08712004444*, visiting www.primetimelive.co.uk or Virgin Media customers can purchase using the ‘On Demand’ menu. Customers on Sky must register the first time they use Primetime and once registered can purchase using the ‘box office’ menu.
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