It would be impossible for me to be at a higher level. No human being can be more powerful than I am. That’s what Cotto’s going up against. He’s facing me at my best in the ring. I’m sure Cotto only took the fight after seeing my fight against Martin Murray.”—Sergio Martinez
“I think we win in four rounds…“Miguel’s ring generalship alone will win this fight.”Freddie Roach
“Freddie Roach is excellent at telling jokes…” –Martinez
This Saturday night blockbuster at Madison Square Garden one will turn on whether Martinez (51-2-2) comes into the fight healthy and fit, as Cotto (38-4) would likely beat the Martinez that won a 115-112 across the board 12 rounder against Martin Murray in April 2013. But if this Martinez comes in fully fit and ready and recovered from his injuries, I see a different kind of fight.
Martinez will likely start slow as is his wont and allow Cotto to do some decent work from the outside including some hooks to the body. However, once the Argentinian finds his rhythm and most importantly, his separation, he will once again become the Matador we are used to seeing and will begin throwing the heavy-handed pot shots that should break up Cotto’s very vulnerable facial skin. At this point, Miguel will begin to back up and allow the more athletic Sergio to prepare for the kill, but unlike horrific and shameful real life Bull Fighting, Cotto will still have a chance in this one just as Chavez Jr. did. Still, once Sergio smells blood, he won’t make the same mistake he made against Junior in the last round of their fight and will stop Cotto with his superior late power, possibly in the eleventh round as he did with Mathew Macklin and Darren Baker. .
An added factor: The 33-year-old Cotto is looking to become the first Puerto Rican to win world titles in four weight classes as he makes his bid for Martinez’s middleweight crown.
And one more: the disdain that these two fighters have for each other actually seems real for a change, especially that of Martinez towards Cotto whom he accuses of having made pre-fight demands that a diva would make.
Says Cotto,” [On the Martinez camp’s complaints about the Cotto camp’s demands to make the fight] If Sergio has any issues with anything around this fight, he can sit with his guys and talk about it. We closed the deal some time ago. This is our time to train and we can’t talk about anything else….I am ready to make history and to prove once more that I am still one of the best fighters in the world.””
