By Jorge Conejo
Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KOs) is the new “IT” guy in boxing, everyone seems to be calling him out since he defeated Kelly Pavlik on HBO for the middleweight title. Martinez has a wealth of opponents to chose from, he holds both the 154-pound and 160-pound titles and can defend either of them against the top fighters in each division.
The man from Argentina is in his mid 30’s but is one of the most sought after fighters in boxing today. He may not be known in the mainstream, but amongst the boxing community he is the talk of the town.
Since Kelly Pavlik chose not to exercise his rematch clause, Martinez can choose from any opponent he wants, from Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Paul Williams, Sergio Mora, Vanes Martirosyan, Antonio Margarito, Alfredo Angulo, and the winner of Miguel Cotto vs. Yuri Foreman. He has either been called out or mentioned as a possible match up with those fighters listed above.
If I had to choose, I would love to see Sergio Martinez in a rematch with Antonio Margarito to avenge his loss to the Tijuana Tornado from several years ago. Margarito was the first boxer to defeat Martinez and won by knockout. After that fight I would love to see a rematch with Paul Williams, their first fight on HBO was “Fight of the Year’ and a rematch is a guaranteed barn burner, Martinez won’t quit and fly out of the ring like Kermit Cintron.
Lately, it seems Martinez name has been thrown around by the Mayweather camp as a possible opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr. if a Manny Pacquiao fight cannot be made. I don’t want to see that fight because I like everyone else wants to see a Maywather vs. Pacquiao fight first. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao needs to happen for the betterment of boxing.
The fighter I wouldn’t want to see Sergio Martinez fight in the ring is Manny Pacquiao. Martinez is too big for the Filipino 7 weight division champion, and I think Pacquiao’s biting off more than he can chew at 154 or 160. Pacquiao is at his cap of 147-pounds and the welterweight division should be his last weight class.
In the end it’s good to see the 35-year old Sergio Martinez enjoy success after many years of fighting in obscurity.
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