By Scott Gilfoid: WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (50-2-2, 28 KO’s) and Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11 KO’s) will have instant replay available for their April 27th fight in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s unclear under what circumstances it’ll be used, and how often.
It’s too bad Martinez didn’t have instant replay available for his fight against Kermit Cintron in February 2009, because it would have resulted in Martinez winning by a 7th round knockout instead of receiving a draw in this mostly one-sided fight.
In the 7th round, Martinez dropped Cintron with a left hand to the head, and the referee counted Cintron out when he failed to get back up to his feet by the count of 10. However, Cintron did a great job of convincing the referee that the knockdown was caused by a head-butt instead of a left hook to the head.
The referee bought the excuse and let Cintron to continue to fight. On instant replay it clearly showed that Cintron was knocked down by a powerful left hand to the head. It’s too bad they didn’t have the instant replay for that fight because it cost Martinez a win.
I have a feeling that instant replay won’t be needed for the Martinez-Murray fight. Martinez has a guy that will be right there for him to land his big shots, as Murray likes to slug with his opponents.
Murray has gotten away with this bad habit thus far because of his limited opposition during his six-year pro career. Murray’s best opponent thus far was Felix Sturm, who had Murray out on his feet in the 12th round in their December 2011 fight. The fight was scored a 12 round draw, but many boxing fans felt that Murray should have lost the fight.
If Murray tries to trade with Martinez like he did with Sturm, I can’t see the fight going beyond the 6th round. In fact, that’s the round I see Murray getting knocked out in.
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