Sergio Martinez has the makings of a boxing celebrity. Martinez’s promoter, Lou Dibella, in a recent interview with Greg Leon at
www.boxingtalk.com/ said: “I think Sergio Martinez has the looks, the style, and the excitement that if he can win the middleweight title, I’ve got a superstar.” Indeed, Dibella may be correct. What’s not to like? Good looks, charm, wit in the ring, slickness, speed, and underrated power.
Here is a new HBO Promo on Martinez:
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Martinez is a Spanish-based Argentine Junior Middleweight boxer. He turned professional in December 1997 and has compiled a record of 44 wins (24 by way of knockout), 2 losses, and 2 draws. Media Report on
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/ has the best biography on Martinez that I’ve found (see
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Chee/Chee0127q09.htm).
This Saturday he faces perhaps the biggest challenge in a career that has taken him from title fights in Las Vegas, Madrid, and London, to now a showdown with the middleweight champion of the world, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik in Atlantic City. Martinez has fought through adversity for this opportunity and his was no easy path.
After going undefeated in seventeen straight fights in his native Argentina, in 2000, Martinez travelled to Las Vegas to face Antonio Margarito. The rugged Margarito, with his experience and grit, knocked out Martinez in eight highly-contested rounds. Martinez, however, rebounded from the loss well with 28 wins over albeit mediocre opponents.
After chasing the late, great Vernon Forrest for years, to no avail – many say Forrest ducked Martinez – Martinez settled for a fight with perennial contender, Kermit Cintron. Martinez arguably won the fight twice – once by knockout and once on the cards. Make no mistake, Martinez beat Cintron over twelve rounds, but came out of the fight with only a draw. Here is a clip of the “headbutt”:
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Martinez wasn't discouraged by the draw and moved onto an even bigger challenge than Cintron, Mr. Paul "The Punisher" Williams. Martinez made a good showing of himself against Tall Paul losing in a mixed decision that many boxing fans felt he won.
Everything was stacked against Martinez from the beginning. The fight at 160, which was Martinez's first fight at middlweight and not his natural weight class. Paul had a considerable height and reach advantage over Martinez. Furthermore, the match was staged in the Atlantic City against the "A" side fighter. What's certain now is that Paul isn't the most feared fighter on the planet any longer adn that's because of Martinez. To be sure, Martinez looked more athletic and a better boxer than Mr. Williams. That in itself is quite a feat.
Here are key highlights from his battle with Paul Williams:
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This Saturday Martinez is in arguably his greatest challenge to date. He faces a bigger, stronger, experienced middleweight. Pavlik will walk into the ring ten or fifteen pounds heavier than him and is also the most accomplished fighter that Martinez has faced. But, let's not jump to conclusions, Martinez is faster, slicker, and more awkward than Pavlik. If he fights his fight, Martinez could pull off the upset. That said, the experts overwhelmingly pick Pavlik to win on Saturday (8-3):
http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/04/13/kelly-pavlik-or-sergio-martinez-the-experts-weigh-in/
Here is an HBO Promo on Kelly Pavlik:
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