By Miguel Rivera

The middleweight champion of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., is being pushed to defend his title against the mandatory challenger, Argentine's Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez - or in the alternative he must vacate the belt. A few months ago, WBC president Jose Sulaiman gave Chavez permission to make a voluntary defense against Peter Manfredo Jr. with the understanding that Martinez would fight the winner. Sulaiman's position is still the same.

"They continue to ask me about Martinez and Chavez. I answered this months ago and the answer is still the same. If [the fight] is not done, the title is vacant," said Sulaiman.

Chavez Jr., who won the WBC title in June, is unbeaten in 45 fights with 31 KOs and one draw. Martinez has a record of 48-2-2, with 27 KOs, and he holds the WBC's Diamond title at middleweight.