After what will likely be a strong candidate for upset of the year last weekend, which saw Nobuhiro Ishida finish highly touted prospect James Kirkland in one round, the Japanese import was suddenly an in demand fighter.
Several promoters voiced interest in matching up Ishida with their fighters, among them middleweight king Sergio Martinez’s promoter Lou DiBella.
Although he ended Kirkland’s unbeaten record in less than two minutes however, Ishida remains an easy opponent for the likes of Sergio Martinez.
Virtually unheard of prior to the last weekend, Ishida’s record of 23 wins, 8 knockouts and 6 losses speaks for itself.
All but one of Ishida’s losses came at Japanese domestic level (including one to a fighter who goes by the name of Crazy Kim). His most recent loss came against Rigoberto Alvarez, who soon after lost to Austin Trout.
What the fight really revealed were Kirkland’s shortcomings rather than anything new about Ishida.
Ishida simply exposed Kirkland’s lack of defense and apparently fragile jaw, and with a meager 8 knockouts to his name.
Being able to accomplish this having been brought in as an opponent is impressive.
Facing one of the best fighters in the world today in Sergio Martinez however is a different matter entirely.
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Martinez has no problems with his chin, his defense and movement are excellent and he has fought at world level, something that neither Ishida or Kirkland have.
As easy an opponent as Ishida should be for Martinez though, the Argentinian isn’t necessarily to blame when it comes to his choice of opponent. Advertisement
Martinez’s ongoing problem and perhaps the only thing keeping him from topping pound for pound lists right now is the fact that the middleweight division is severely lacking in big name opponents.
Probably the best and most well regarded around the weight was Paul Williams, who Martinez knocked out in two rounds last year.
WBO light middleweight champion Serhiy Dzinzurik was undefeated and came with a gaudy 37-0 record but as it turned out wasn’t in the same league as Martinez.
Many of the better light middleweights are inaccessible due to promotional ties.
Top Rank’s Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and newly signed Kermit Cintron, who Martinez controversially drew with in 2009, are unlikely as options.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr is even less likely despite the fact that he recently became the WBC middleweight champion and is probably the most marketable fighter in the division.
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And then there is the fact that HBO have tended to be selective over who they will approve as an opponent for Martinez in the past.
Sebastian Zbik was rejected for Martinez, but fights Chavez in two months time. As the holder of the WBC’s ‘diamond’ belt he should get the winner.
He almost certainly won’t unless Zbik wins.
So while Martinez might make short work of Ishida, he couldn’t necessarily have done a lot better.
James Philmore, Pitt: “Ishida looked decent, without a massive weakness like Kirkland had he might struggle at top level”
Raphael Lopez, Philly: “Martinez could beat any fighter at light middleweight or middleweight right now, if only he could actually get to them”
