Revisiting Sergio Martinez Vs Antonio Margarito

Twelve years and 7 months ago on the undercard of what would be one of the most memorable fights in recent history, Sergio Martinez squared off against Antonio Margarito before Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera met in the first fight of their epic trilogy.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhz3bjWhZEc&feature=g-vrec[/ame]

Of course Margarito would go on to drop Martinez in the opening round, only the ropes holding him up and leaving him in a tangled mess but pulled through.

Sergio Martinez didnt look to have any mustard on his punches despite using a lot of good technique, the announcers scoffed at him even beginning to emulate the great carlos monzon whilst stating that "he isnt a concussive hitter" which didnt help him as he was forced into the ropes again after a Margarito assault forcing the stoppage

Fast forward 9 years later and we have Paul Williams who is of course looking for a showdown against the middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik who pulled out of their arranged fight due to an infection in his knuckle if memory serves correct and Sergio Martinez returns to american soil after a disappointing draw in a fight he should have won against a man who beat the only man to ever defeat Martinez

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsA0hreQAWI[/ame]

"Martinez cant hope to beat Williams punch for punch" says Emmanuel Steward moments before Sergio Martinez is put off balance by Williams with a shot to the temple only to get back up and land a hard right hook hurting Williams and forcing him to stumble backwards into the ropes, going on to trade with Williams time and time again only to lose out on a close and somewhat controversial decision, a decision he would later avenge by a shocking one punch knock out

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXtzcSPLsk[/ame]

Not only has Martinez grown over the years in size, he is now not as light on his feet as he used to be allowing him to take the punches better and sit down on his own more choosing to dart in and out as opposed to backing up and moving around the outside of the ring.

Personally I dont see Chavez repeating what Margarito did to a green, light hitting Martinez and Martinez stopping Chavez later on in the fight but what do you guys think? Was Sergio too green or is this just a stylistic nightmare for him? A straight forward Mexican Brawler willing to stand toe to toe?

 

Even a Prime Margo against Todays Sergio Martinez (say at 154) wouldnt be able do a repeat of what happened, When Sergio hit him 12 years ago there was nothing to be afraid of, just a smaller welterweight who he could take easily.

Now imagine Martinez landing that overhand left on Margarito's chin the same way he did against Williams. Good night Margo.

Chavez brought up how Martinez lost to Margarito in vegas so i thought id give the tape a look over and if this is what Chavez is banking onto win hes going to be in for a big surprise come fight night.

 

Its possible he used it back then but then again we have no way to prove or disprove it

Alls we know now is that the Sergio Martinez of today would KO a prime Margarito

 

Not at all, he was greenish himself and probably didnt hit his prime until 2004-2005 then again you could make the argument thats when he starting loading his gloves (post the Daniel Santos fights)