By Jack Granard: Like many of you recently, I watched Sergio Martinez outclass and outbox Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr in a less than enticing boxing clash. The victory and the general performance prompted many people to observe Martinez as deservedly the best in the division, as well as perhaps a modern day great.

Furthermore it added strength to his status as #4 in the P4P ring magazine rankings. However it is hard to argue whether or not “Maravilla” is really a modern day great or a legend, his record dictates victories against Pavlik, Williams, previously unbeaten Dzinziruk, Macklin and Barker, as well as a draw against Cintron. Although it is safe to say he is the best in the division, these victories against this type of opposition do not suggest that he is the 4th best boxer in boxing nor a modern day great. Throughout this argument I will give a balanced and nuanced analysis as to why it can be perceived in this light or in the opposite view.

In being a legend or a great boxer for the ages, a fighter has to demonstrate many different things, whether it is heart, power, or showmanship, it has to make the fighter memorable. Martinez undoubtedly has heart, the last round against Chavez Jnr demonstrated will power that has to be admired and a champion’s mentality, it is safe to say here Martinez deservedly demonstrated what boxing fans want today, something Victor Ortiz could potentially look at. This is further strengthened by his first war with Williams, as well as his general desire to be champion by packing on the weight to fight further up a division where he is potentially not at his best. In relation to power, Martinez can also not be questioned here, knockouts of undefeated boxers like Barker and Dzinziruk are a highlight, as well as Macklin but the general decimation of more “elite boxers” such as Pavlik and Williams really demonstrate the strength of this man. Additionally Martinez is also a showman, in his appearance and his general fighting style, where his fists are positioned at his waist and where he does not defend himself yet can seemingly cause a knockout at any moment.

Therefore why is it so hard for me and many others to understand why he is #4 in the P4P rankings and question his legacy. Furthermore why has he never had a big payday before the Chavez Jnr fight and why are the boxing faithful not so interested in a potential mega fight with the likes of Mayweather at Martinez’s real weight or a catchweight fight with Pacquaio where it is assumed he could easily cut to. Sadly for Martinez, the middleweight division is dull and so are its opponents, they lack the general charisma and skills that are necessary to elevate a fighter of Martinez’s class to stardom and thereby allows people to have a question mark over him. This is emphasized where you look at the opponents. Additionally Pavlik at the time of the beating was considered the best in the division but a division that had no real “elite fighters,” and it is hard to argue whether Pavlik himself is an “elite fighter.” The flaws had already been shown by his defeat to Hopkins and by the time of his defeat to Martinez, it had looked that the man who beat Taylor twice, was a powerful puncher with limited skills and not something you could regard as truly special. Ultimately in relation to Williams, he too was considered the best but his record shows victories against a finished Wright and Margarito who has a question mark over his legacy due to his controversial and illegal actions. The other fighters mentioned were good but nothing to be regarded as special. It must be said as for Chavez Jnr, he is still a largely unproven fighter who was given the title and has not beaten the opposition to be recognized as an “elite fighter,” the performance against Martinez demonstrated that for 11 rounds. The fact that the boxer is most recognized as the son of a great fighter demonstrates this, as well as the fact he is considered to win fights by his large weight.

To conclude Martinez’s legacy will still be questioned until he fights someone the boxing faithful and the real die-hard fans recognize as truly special and skilled. It is harsh on him considering his record and his current age, that we may potentially never get to see the best of him if he were to fight such a boxer. Nevertheless there is always time to change that and after the likely victory in the rematch against Chavez Jnr, I hope Martinez will step and win against such a fighter, so that he can be highly recognized as the skilful fighter I believe he is. However until then we can only continue to question.