By John F. McKenna (McJack): Fresh off his victory over a tougher than anyone expected Matthew Macklin (28-4, 19 KO’s) Saturday night at The Theater in Madison Square Garden, The Ring and WBC Diamond belt champion Sergio Martinez (49-2-2, 28 KO’s) is happy to escape with a victory.
“Maravilla” as Martinez is known to his fans scored the hoped for KO against Macklin, who despite the ten to one odds against him definitely came to fight. Many boxing observers including this writer were of the opinion that they were possibly witnessing an upset in the making. As late as the 9th round “Mack The Knife” was ahead on the scorecards as he had scored a controversial knockdown over Sergio in the 7th round. The knockdown in the 7th round made it a two point round in Matthew’s favor.
Macklin came out of the starting gate with the expectation of victory and at points during the middle rounds seemed to have Martinez’ number. It seemed as though the knockdown Sergio suffered in the 7th round was a wake up call and gave him the motivation he needed to turn the fight around. From the 8th round on it seemed as though his left hand was a laser guided missile and could not miss.
After landing numerous straight left hands, flush to the face of Macklin, it became evident in the 10th round that Sergio’s punches were beginning to have the desired effect. Martinez was as cool as a cucumber as the tide of the fight gradually began to turn around and patiently waited to land his power laden left hand. By the 2nd half of the 10th round and into the 11th round it seemed as though Sergio could not miss with his trademark punch.
Finally near the end of the 11th round Macklin was sent reeling to the floor whereupon he bravely got up only to be sent to the canvas once again. Macklin’s corner wisely stopped the contest recognizing that Matthew was in no condition to continue.
Undoubtedly undefeated WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. watched the performance of Martinez last night. Sergio is generally recognized as number three on the coveted Pound for Pound list. And with Sergio and his promoter Lou DiBella calling out the Mayweather camp and stating that Martinez would be more than willing to go for an 80 – 20 cut in Mayweather’s favor, it is logical to assume that Floyd would dissect Sergo’s performance.
Martinez has also let it be known that he would come down to 154 pounds to fight Mayweather, the same weight that Floyd will be fighting Miguel Cotto at. Sergio who weighed in at 157 ½ pounds for the Macklin fight would have no trouble shedding another 3 ½ pounds. So weight would be no issue in putting together a Mayweather – Martinez fight.
Many boxing pundits are already of the opinion that Mayweather, for whatever reason, will never fight Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao. The question now being asked by many is whether Floyd will elect to step into the ring with a fighter who may be more dangerous than Pacquiao, thereby putting “Money” Mayweather’s “0” in serious jeopardy?
Comments are closed.