Sergio Martinez: Who has he beaten?

By Boxing News - 05/30/2014 - Comments

martinez66By Jermill Pennington: Sergio Maravilla Martinez (51-2-2) in recent years has been regarded as one of the top 5 boxers in the world. Since his loss to Paul Williams in 2009 Martinez has gone on a 7 fight win streak beating many of the world’s top middle weights. On June 7th Martinez is scheduled to fight Miguel Cotto (38-4-2) at a catch weight of 159 pounds for the WBC middle weight title in the Madison Square Garden arena.

Martinez over the years has gained a stigma for being a feared and avoided fighter. Many say that Floyd Mayweather Jr. himself has even avoided Martinez. For the bout that will take place on June 7th Miguel Cotto is coming in as a substantial underdog by the odds makers and even more so in the minds of fans. Through my observation it seems that many believe Cotto has once again bitten of more than he can chew. Maybe putting too much stock in his newly found fountain of youth, which for Cotto means throwing the left hook.

Before Martinez’s 2009 bout versus Kermit Cintron he fought 46 other fighters no one would know (other than the Antonio Margarita bout in 2000). While Cotto on the other hand was fighting some of the era’s best. Martinez gained his notoriety by knocking the free swinging Paul Williams in a sensational 2nd round KO in 2010 after losing a close majority decision to Williams in 2009. Before the loss to Williams in 09 Martinez had a draw versus Cintron, making him 0-1-1 before capturing the WBC middle weight title from Kelly Pavlik. Now let’s add some perspective to this. Before getting the Middle weight strap Martinez had a draw with Cintron, and a loss to Williams, and then got his shot at Pavlik. Martinez as mentioned would later KO Williams in 2 rounds which earned him the KO of the year. Now I’m not one to kick a guy while he’s down but I for one never thought Williams was an elite fighter. Light punching, no defense what so ever would be a few choice words that in my opinion would describe Williams though still fun to watch. Pavlik, self -destructing country boy who never took himself serious enough would be words that suit Pavlik’s career after defeating Jermaine Taylor. These are the 2 fights that transformed a career for Martinez that until 2000 in the Margarito fight had rarely ever seen light outside of Argentina. But I ask, does beating the likes of Pavlik and Williams catapult you to the pound for pound top 5? If you ask me it shouldn’t.

On to the now 7 fight win streak, if you eliminate the wins over Williams and Pavlik you have 5 others. The 5 other fighter all had something in common; they all fight in a style you would imagine Frankenstein to fight in. Just come forward and use your face to block punches. I know there will be those that say the likes of Macklin, Barker, Dzinziruk, Chavez Jr. and Murray are quality fighter but you must admit they all share a Frankensteinish style of fighting which is perfect for a supreme athlete such as Martinez.

So who has he beaten and why do we hold him in such high regard? One thing is sure that he will be tested come June 7th. The battle tested Cotto even in his losses gives out a fair amount of punishment. An aging fighter on a bad wheel leaves a lot of questions to be answered. The last time I seen Martinez in action he was not the same fighter that fought Williams in 09. Personally, I felt he loss the fight to Murray had that slip been called a knock down as it should have, but no way they could take the crown from the prom king on prom night. June 7th I’m taking Cotto to wear down Martinez for the TKO in 8 rounds.



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