MANILA, Philippines – World middleweight champion Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez of Argentina survived a 12th round onslaught by Mexican prodgiy Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to earn a unanimous decision victory Saturday at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas (Sunday morning in Manila).
Martinez thoroughly dominated the first 11 rounds but was knocked down in the 12th. He survived to win with scores of 118-109, 118-109, and 117-110.
The Argentinian became the World Boxing Council middleweight champion with his victory.
