The legendary Argentine ex-boxer Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez made headlines again in the world of boxing after launching a public challenge to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for an exhibition fight in December 2025. The proposal, more than a simple sporting rematch, has a human background: to accompany the Mexican in his process of recovery and reinsertion to the boxing world after years marked by personal problems and addictions.
Maravilla Martinez, who currently resides between Spain and Argentina, recently visited Mexico and took advantage of his stay to talk to the press about the present of his former rival. Let’s remember that both starred in one of the most mediatic fights of the last decade in September 2012, when the Argentine won by unanimous decision in a fight for the World Boxing Council(WBC) middleweight world title. More than a decade later, Martinez considers that a reunion in the ring would have an important symbolic value both for the fans and for Chavez Jr. himself, who has expressed on several occasions his desire to resume his professional career and definitively overcome his personal problems.
A call for improvement
Julio, stop causing problems and returno to boxing
Maravilla Martínez
“Let’s have an exhibition together. The hits, the effort, the training, the desire to win are still the same.”
“This can help you and me too; it would make me happy,” Maravilla Martinez told the media.
The invitation is not casual.
Both the Mexican’s father, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., and emblematic figures of Latin American boxing have insisted that Chavez Jr.’s road to recovery is to remain active in the sport.
An exhibition against Martinez -one of his most remembered rivals- would be the perfect opportunity to revive his career and reconnect with the public.
Maravilla Martinez, who at 50 years old is still linked to the boxing world and has participated in several exhibitions in Argentina and Spain, plans to fight on December 20, 2025 in his country.
His wish is that this date will mark the expected reunion with Chavez Jr.
A fight without belts at stake, but with a huge emotional and media weight.
The support of the boxing world
Buzzy
Maravilla Martinez’s proposal has generated immediate support among fans, journalists and former boxers.
They believe that an exhibition between the two could be a powerful message about self-improvement, discipline and the transformative power of sport.
It would also mark a symbolic end to one of the most memorable rivalries between Argentina and Mexico.
Chavez Jr, 39, has had an up-and-down career after becoming WBC middleweight world champion in 2011.
In recent years he has faced multiple suspensions, legal problems and addictions, but has reiterated that his goal is to return to the ring in competitive conditions.
For many, a fight with Maravilla Martinez would be the ideal opportunity to take that step.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
