Boxer pummelled, quits, but still claims he won

Boxing's former middleweight world champion has offered a bizarre insight into a fighter's mind after being pummeled in the ring, quitting because of injury, but still trying to claim victory.

Julio Cesar Chavez Junior was destroyed by Andrzej Fonfara for nine rounds in a light heavyweight bout over the weekend.So severe was the hiding that Chavez, who was returning after a one year lay-off, was knocked to the canvas for the first time in his 52-fight professional career.The Mexican decided to throw in the towel before the 10th round - citing injury - but then baffled fans by trying to claim victory when asked if he was ok."Yeah, I'm OK," Chavez replied."I think I won the fight". While fighters have long attempted to bluff referees into making decisions in their favour, Chavez's call - so soon after quitting - stunned most and his interviewer was having none of it."I don't think the fight was even close... you were outpunched considerably," Showtime's Jim Gray countered.Chavez had stepped up in weight division for the comeback and before the fight, had joked that he could one day become heavyweight champion.He later conceded that he may 'go back down (in weight)'.