Manny Pacquiao & Floyd Mayweather JR: Sergio Martinez & the Avoiding of the Argentinian Boxing Talent
By Gina L. Caliboso
Avoidance is often a word I like to use when I feel I can’t face something or someone. For example, for the last couple of years, I’ve avoided my bills – but not intentionally, just due to lack of funds. Yes, in the case of avoidance, we all get a case of it. Perhaps it’s fear, maybe it’s procrastination? But overall, avoidance can often be about facing your fear in the face and maybe not only surviving, but defeating the fear you originally had in your heart and your mind. What’s this got to do with boxing? For now, I’ll answer – this has a lot to do with boxing. But I’d like the focus on three fighters from Argentina who are currently under a blanket of avoidance.
I’ll call these boxers the three M’s – Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, Lucas Matthysse, and Marcos “El Chino” Maidana
I’ll begin with my favorite middleweight, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, 50-2, 28 KO’s. Martinez is one fighter I’ve kept my eye on for the last couple of years because he simply has grown in confidence and has become better with each fight. Considering he started late in boxing, Martinez has an unorthodox fighting Southpaw style and any fighter would have a tough time looking good against him.
In his last bout, he defeated Julio Cesar Chavez, JR over 12 rounds, but I don’t think he was at his best, or perhaps Chavez, JR just didn’t want it as much. As an older fighter, I’m not too sure how much fight he has in him, but I’m hoping he can get better fighters with larger marquee names. Martinez fights at weird angles. His stamina is never a question, and he wins because he is a smarter fighter in the later rounds.
Currently, the middleweight division is not jam packed with any fierce fighter, except for maybe Chavez, Jr. However, should he decide to make a move to the light middleweight division, he’d face an interesting possibility – Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. That would certainly be a good fight. Why is Martinez avoided? He has amazing adaptability during a fight. It would take a lot for a fighter to defeat him over 12 rounds.
Next, there is Lucas Matthysse, 33-2, 31 KO’s. He is currently ranked #2 among light welterweights. But check out this list of the top four. The light welterweight division is packed with the likes of Danny Garcia, ranked at #1, Brandon Rios ranked at #3, and Amir Khan at #4. There is no shortage of competition for Matthysse, but does anyone want to fight him? My guess is no. Matthysse has great hand speed and power. He sticks with his opponent and although not the most technical of fighters, he stands tall and trades. I like this about him. He came up with a short right cross against his last opponent in the 2nd round. Avoidance factor? Huge.
Finally, there is the third Argentine, Marcos “El Chino” Maidana, 33-3, 30 KO’s. Against Khan and fighting at welterweight, Maidana lost to Khan over 12 rounds in a unanimous decision. However, the fight wasn’t without Maidana showing Khan a thing or two. First, Maidana did go down on a body shot in the first round, but somehow, he shook it off and fought Khan to twelve rounds. Maidana also got more competitive (if you want to call it that), but he lost a point when he threw an elbow in the 5th round. He fought Khan hard in the later rounds and I thought he could have won that bout. Since then, he’s defeated now retired Erik Morales, lost to Devon Alexander, and also defeated Jesus Soto Karass over 8 rounds with a TKO. In the Karass bout, both fighters were penalized points for hitting after the break. But you have to love that fiery sense of competition and desire to win. Or Maidana may be a dirty fighter. But regardless, he wants to win. And I bet, this is perhaps why he is avoided as well.
For right now, these three Argentine M’s are not going anywhere in boxing. If anything, the three fighters remain as top contenders for their divisions. Hopefully, Martinez, Matthysse, and Maidana will get the credit and the top billing they deserve. Until then, I hope that all three fighters remain diligent and willing to fight whoever might challenge them.
Finally, to all the would-be opponents of Martinez, Matthysse, and Maidana, take the challenge and overcome the Argentine avoidance.
As for me, taxes are due soon. Sheez, I think I’m going through a bit of avoidance right now.
