WBC Diamond Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, who just might be the best fighter in the sport today, took time to discuss a range of topics in this in-depth interview, including if he thinks Paul Williams should retire, which fighter from history he would like to box, Adamek vs. Vitali, Floyd vs. Pacquiao, and much more?
BoxingInsider: How did the performance of Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara compare to his performance against you? Do you think Williams is declining?
Sergio Martinez: ?He looked like he was affected by my knockout. I?m very sad that he?s not the same. Mentally I don?t think he?s there any more.?
BoxingInsider: Do you feel you created the blueprint to defeat Paul Williams and Lara copied it?
Sergio Martinez: ?I think I set the blueprint but so did Lara on how to beat him. Lara just needed more of a punch.?
BoxingInsider: You said previously that Mayweather is the toughest opponent for you, more difficult than Pacquiao. Why do you believe this?
Sergio Martinez: ?Mayweather is bigger than Pacquiao and I think he is the better fighter.?
BoxingInsider: Do you think Paul Williams should retire from boxing?
Sergio Martinez: ?That is too difficult a question to answer.?
BoxingInsider: You are considered by many to be the most avoided man in boxing. Your comment?
Sergio Martinez: ?I think I am. I understand why.?
BoxingInsider: Why are you?
Sergio Martinez: ?I?m too dangerous and I?m at a weight class that fighters don?t want to go up to. It?s a very tough job for Lou DiBella. But my job is just to get in the ring.?
BoxingInsider: You are a very nice guy with a mild personality. Do you need to get angry to get the big fights with Cotto, Pacquiao and Mayweather?
Sergio Martinez: ?If they?re scared of me mild, imagine how scared they will be when I get angry.?
BoxingInsider: The best boxers of today do not want to fight you, which fighters from history would you most like to fight?
Sergio Martinez: ?Muhammad Ali. I?d love to be next to Muhammad Ali. Not to fight him. If we could make Muhammad Ali smaller. Pernell Whitaker. I learned a lot from Pernell Whitaker, watching his fights.?
BoxingInsider: Vitali Klitschko vs. Tomasz Adamek ? who will win?
Sergio Martinez: ?With a Polish guy sitting in front of me I can?t say the Polish man will lose [smiles].?
BoxingInsider: You are 36, what keeps you so hungry in this sport?
Sergio Martinez: ?It?s basically in my blood. My father was this way.?
BoxingInsider: What would you like your legacy to be?
Sergio Martinez: ?Just to be known, remembered as a good guy. A role model to kids.?
BoxingInsider: I think you would beat Mayweather and you would beat him pretty easily. Your comment?
Sergio Martinez: ?Oh, thank you.?
[Note: Some of the questions were asked by various boxing journalists including the esteemed Michael Woods of ESPN New York.
