Even before the judges had rendered their verdict, and Sergio Martinez was rightfully awarded the WBC middleweight championship for his performance against Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., the sport of boxing proved that it can still deliver a spectacle without Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather.
Too often in sports we get fixated on the biggest names. It is understandable, as they are often the most charismatic and entertaining people in the sport. If you are going to pay $50 or $60 to see a show, you want entertainment far more than anything else.
It is that instant reaction that keeps us coming back. If you were to ask 100 different people who saw this fight what they felt after it was over, you are likely to get 100 different responses.
That kind of variation and excitement is what boxing needs. Between Floyd Mayweather's gambling and the decision of who Manny Pacquiao is going to fight next, no one is actually paying attention to what is going on the ring.
And this was a rather huge weekend in boxing. In addition to the brilliant Martinez-Chavez Jr. fight, Canelo Alvarez retained the WBC light middleweight title against Josesito Lopez.
Finally, the perfect storm came together. There was not one, but two marquee fights that had people talking about the sport and what happened in the ring. There was no controversy about judging or whether the referee had restarted the fight.
Instead, the results were all that was talked about. While the Alvarez fight was, as expected, a one-sided slaughter, Martinez and Chavez provided incredible drama that left you wanting to see them go 12 more rounds.
Martinez was in complete control for the first 11 rounds. He could have coasted to an easy victory, but Chavez did everything in his power to make the 12th round one of the most intense and emotional that you will see in boxing.
Chavez battled back and actually knocked Martinez down with 90 seconds to go. He tried everything he could to get the knockout in the final round but it was not to be.
Even as the verdict was rendered and Martinez was declared the winner, you got the feeling that this fight was something bigger for boxing.
No, it's not going to save the sport and bring it back to the mainstream. But if it ends up turning both men into even bigger stars who can draw with anyone—similar to what Mayweather and Pacquiao can do—then it will all be worth it.
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