Boxing Legends Series | Sergio 'Maravilla' Martinez
SteemSports Presenter: @brandonk
SteemSports Editor: @theprophet0
A legendary fighter with a career spanning over 17 years and 50 fights, Sergio Martinez is one of the greatest technical boxers of all time. With a brilliant streak towards the end of his illustrious career, Sergio proved to the fans that he was always far ahead of his time.
It was so interesting to see Maravilla's rise after a somewhat early stop in the road coming in the form of Antonio Margarito. The Argentinian southpaw always had an immaculate chin, and it makes me believe that this encounter led to his brilliant defense and conditioning.
The knockout of Paul Williams is one of the most spectacular moments in the modern era of boxing, and him being able to claim the victory over hyped prospect (at the time) in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. showed that his experience and ring craftsmanship trumped most all at middleweight.
Sergio was a bit ahead of his time, but some say he was simply in the wrong era. Maravilla's prime was a few years prior to the rise of Canelo and Golovkin, and middleweight was always a bit stale as the competition hadn't been thick at 160 pounds since the late 70s and early 80s to be honest.
The wins against Pavlik and Matthew Macklin showed that Martinez was still at a very high level of skill, and most Europeani champions were just not on his level. The prowess of a southpaw who can generate immense power of the front foot and the jab is a serious problem to face.
I do miss Sergio in the limelight as I believe his exit to the sport was just not well met as Miguel Cotto in Puerto Rico almost has super powers. It felt like a mismatch, and I would love for Martinez to have left on a victory.. but his intelligence let him know when to quit, and I am also happy with that.
Martinez was a great fighter, its a shame that his chronic knee injuries and old father time caught up with him a couple of years too soon. I think a prime Martinez would have dealt with Cotto, then Alvarez and possibly even GGG.. Resteemed.