During the 217th edition of ?On The Ropes? I was joined by reigning middleweight champion of the world, Sergio ?Maravilla? Martinez, to discuss his upcoming bout with former 3 division champion Miguel ?Junito? Cotto. Sergio talked about his motivation going into this fight and the layoff he had out of the ring. Sergio also gave his thoughts on Cotto?s career and how he thinks the fight will go this weekend. Additionally, Martinez talks about Pacquiao-Marquez 5, and if he has interest in facing Mayweather Jr. Here is what Sergio Martinez had to say.
Jenna J: How have you felt in this training camp so far?
Sergio Martinez: I feel very good, very motivated. I can?t wait for June 7th.
Jenna J: Some people are giving Miguel Cotto a chance to beat you. Why do you think they are giving him such high chances?
Sergio Martinez: They are surely mistaken if they think that.
Jenna J: You have had a long layoff, how has your recovery been like?
Sergio Martinez: I feel very good. I?m very motivated, which is the main thing. The injuries are fully healed.
Jenna J: Do you think Cotto is making a mistake by assuming you?re not fully healthy?
Sergio Martinez: The truth is I don?t know what Cotto is thinking, but he will have a big problem on June 7th.
Jenna J: When you look at Miguel Cotto, what do you think are his most significant wins or performances?
Sergio Martinez: He had some important bouts with Zab Judah and Shane Mosley.
Jenna J: What do you think of Cotto?s performances at 154lbs?
Sergio Martinez: I think that he?s a good champion like he was at 140 and 147, but at 160 he won?t be able to do it because he?s facing me.
Jenna J: Have you done anything special in this training camp to prepare for your return?
Sergio Martinez: No, nothing special. The training is the same as always, just more intense because I?m more motivated. I?m really looking forward for this fight.
Jenna J: Do you think Miguel Cotto is a fighter that will bring the best out of you?
Sergio Martinez: I?m motivated for every fight that I have. For the Cotto fight I will be even more motivated.
Jenna J: Floyd Mayweather has eyed this fight and might face the winner. How much would like to face Mayweather?
Sergio Martinez: Floyd Mayweather can say what he wants, the important thing for me is the fight on June 7th with Miguel Cotto. After June 7th there will be time to think about the future.
Jenna J: What do you think you have to do to be successful against Cotto?s style?
Sergio Martinez: I have to fight the way I always fight, I have to follow my strategy ? which I haven?t planned yet. If I follow my strategy and respect my style, I will win by knockout before the 9th.
Jenna J: In your last fight with Martin Murray, were you 100% healthy going into that match?
Sergio Martinez: The days just prior to the fight I had several parts of my body which got injured due of the hard training. I wasn?t injured long before the fight though.
Jenna J: Did you ever consider canceling the fight before you got into the ring with Murray ?
Sergio Martinez: No, it was impossible to cancel that fight.
Jenna J: I want to get your views, not just as a fighter but as a fan. There?s talk that Manny Pacquiao will fight Juan Manuel Marquez for a fifth time. Wht do you think of that and who do you think would win?
Sergio Martinez: Oh those were always close fights, very close. Honestly I don?t know who would win, because they are both great champions.
Jenna J: Are you surprised of the circles that Pacquiao has been through in recent years?
Sergio Martinez: I think he?s still a great champion.
Jenna J: What is you prediction for your fight with Miguel Cotto?
Sergio Martinez: I?m gonna win by knockout before the 9th round.
Jenna J: Have you ever gone into a fight having this much distaste for an opponent?
Sergio Martinez: No, but what?s important here is that the words have ended and we put the personal issues aside. Now we are just two professionals who are going to fight like professionals on June 7th.
Jenna J: Do you think you can have a long reign as the middleweight champion or do you think you are heading towards the end of your career?
Sergio Martinez: The truth is, I don?t know because the only important thing I have in mind is the fight on the 7th of June. On the 8th of June I will talk about my future with my team.
Jenna J: What can your fans expect in your next fight?
Sergio Martinez: You will see a great fight from me. You will see the best performance from me because I have the best preparation. I want to thank my fans for the support that they always give me.
