Sergio Martinez Open to Chavez Rematch, Demands Olympics Drug Testing

Despite skepticism last week, it appears that newly crowned WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez is willing to give Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. a rematch.

Various media reports, including one from BoxingScene.com, indicated last week that Martinez was concerned about the proposed terms of the rematch, particularly the venue, but has now softened that stance.

He's willing to fight Chavez Jr. again. He'll even do it in Dallas. Under one condition.

"If he wants to box there, there must be a condition to undergo Olympic testing for one month, one week and one day before the fight," Martinez told Jhonny Gonzalez of BoxingScene.com.

His demand comes in the wake of reports last week that Chavez Jr. had failed a post-fight drug test.

The substance responsible for the failed test was marijuana, and Chavez has already been fined by the WBC for the infraction, the second of his career.

Martinez defeated Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision on September 15, defending The Ring Magazine middleweight title and capturing the WBC title.

Martinez dominated the vast majority of the fight before stunningly being knocked down and nearly out in the final minutes of the last round.

The final seconds were so dramatic that many have called for a rematch on its strength alone. But before the fighters get to that point, both have obstacles to overcome.

Martinez is slated for surgery to repair the knee injured during the knockdown. He is out of action until the spring and wants to make a defense in his native Argentina before coming back to the U.S.

Chavez Jr. is still facing fallout from his positive drug test and is likely facing a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.