How do you see the best versions of these two at MIDDLE WEIGHT playing out ? Who would prevail, and how ?
Sergio has that quick movement and active punching. Bad match up for Tito. Tito is forced to reset and gets tagged with the straight left often. Sergio did very well against the high pace pressure of P Williams. Tito has the killer left hook but is more conservative with his output. Sergio can take short steps backward to draw the straight ahead Tito and counter then turn. Sergio UD.
The underestimation of Trinidad since he retired is astounding. He was an absolute destroyer at his best, and the guy who steamrollered William Joppy proves far too powerful and accurate for Sergio Martinez. The eagerness to label him as some Hispanic version of Kelly Pavlik is strange.
the best version of tito at middleweight does not beat the best version of martinez at middleweight. that's not underestimating tito. i just see martinez dancing around, setting traps and tagging him with that left all night...or at least as often as trinidad opens himself up for it. there's always a chance trinidad catches him with a left of his own but i see a martinez UD.
I'd pick Martinez at 160. At 154, it's closer to even. Martinez was always vulnerable so it's hard to have confidence.
well while we are at it...the best middleweight pavlik would get tito out of there in my opinion. tito is not gonna stop him and he is not gonna take that right hand all night either.
Best for best I am probably in the minority but I would put my cash on Martinez, Tito was often a slow starter and Sergio would bank enough early rounds to win a close decision..