NEW YORK — The crowd inside the Modell’s sporting goods store pushed back four, sometimes five deep, enveloping a sweat-soaked Sergio Martinez in a sea of arms, legs and camera phones. Outside, even more onlookers gathered, pressing against a wall-sized glass window and blocking off the 42nd St. sidewalk, forcing more than a few disgruntled passers-by in Times Square to find a better route.
Yes, in many ways, Sergio Martinez has arrived. He’s ranked in the top three in most pound for pound lists — No. 3 on SI.com’s — and universally recognized as the best middleweight in the world. His good looks attract women (adult-film star Lisa Ann was on hand at the open workout looking for a picture) and his exciting fighting style has made him a fixture on HBO.
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Full mainstream recognition, however, is something Martinez has yet to achieve. His future isn’t debated on PTI and highlights of his fights are rarely shown on SportsCenter. While the diehards can rattle off his record (47-2-2, 26 KOs), fighting style (southpaw) and most notable win (a decision over then-middleweight king Kelly Pavlik), the casual boxing fan still struggles to place him, as a young couple packed into the Modell’s crowd exemplified.
“So who is that?” the woman asked.
“Sergio Martinez,” the man responded. “He’s one of the best boxers in the world.”
“Oh,” said the woman, a confused look on her face. “I’ve never heard of him.”
After overhearing the conversation, I asked the woman which fighters she had heard of.
“Floyd Mayweather,” she said. “And Manny Pacquiao.”
