Sergio Martinez media workout cancelled due to security threats – Boxing News
Sergio Martinez was scheduled to hold a media workout at his gym in Ventura, California. However, the session was cancelled yesterday following security threats, as revealed by Martinez’ trainer Lou DiBella.
Martinez is currently scheduled to challenge Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for the middleweight title on September 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
“This past weekend Sergio received threats from an unknown source and the car in front of his home (in Oxnard, Calif.) was vandalized,” revealed DiBella while talking about the cancellation of the event.
“Unfortunately, until we have a security team in place, we are going to have to suspend any and all public and media appearances for Sergio, including the upcoming media day scheduled for (Tuesday). We apologize for the inconvenience to the media and fans
that have planned on attending (Tuesday's) event.”
According to DiBella, Martinez has been threatened verbally on and off but following his car’s destruction, immediate security measures had to be adopted.
“I didn't get into all the details but the basic facts suggested that we need to beef up security around him, and with this particular event so close to the fight it was better to be safe than sorry.”
Answering a question suggesting that some of Chavez’s fans are being blamed for the events, DiBella said that they are not questioning any of Chavez’s fans. According to DiBella, they are not sure as to who is making the threats against the Argentinean fighter.
DiBella further said that this is not an international security issue and they will deal with it smoothly. However, he added, the Tuesday media workout session had to be cancelled as it was too early for them to sort things out.
Middleweight titlist Chavez currently stands with 46 wins, 0 losses, 1 tie and 32 knockouts, whereas Martinez stands with 49 wins, 2 losses, 2 ties and 28 knockouts.
Considering the fact that Martinez could be a threat to Chavez’s unbeaten streak, Chavez’s fans might be a little agitated, hence the threats. However, as DiBella puts it, no one is to blame until the investigation is completed.
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