Former lineal middleweight world champion and previous top 10 pound-for-pound sensation Sergio Martinez (51-3-2, 28 KOs) recently announced his decision to continue his career.
Following a one-sided thrashing at the hands of Miguel Cotto last month, the 39 year old Martinez’s future in boxing remained uncertain as the former champ has been saddled with injuries the last few years.
“Miguel De Pablos (Martinez’s business manager) and I met with Sergio at his home in Madrid and he says he is 100 percent healthy and ready to do what it takes to return to the very top of boxing,” Sampson Lewkowicz, Martinez’s advisor, told ESPN.
“Against Cotto, Sergio was badly hurt in the opening round from the first left hook that landed. After that, he remembers only pieces and had very little control of his body and especially his legs.”
“He fought entirely on instinct. It was the worst night of his entire career and he is coming back to prove he is a superstar fighter who just had a bad night.”
Despite taking a beating, Martinez fought like a warrior till the end and tried to create opportunities to land that same looping left that felled Paul Williams.
So who should Sergio Martinez fight next?
“I think the next fight will not be a huge name but somebody credible enough to determine if he still has it in the tank. If he can perform well in the next fight then we’ll go from there, uttered promoter Lou DiBella. “But he will not allow himself to come back against a stooge. At the same time he’s not going to come back against King Kong. The idea is for him to face a real, legitimate professional, a top-15 kind of fighter and then go from there.”
“If he’s OK, he wants one more opportunity to win a title. He’s not coming back for a five-year campaign.”
Given the one-sidedness of his most recent bout, Sergio’s 14 month layoff and his shaky performance against Martin Murray in his fight before last, Martinez must restore credibility as an elite fighter before engaging in another superfight against a top-tier opponent. A rematch against Cotto or fights against Gennady Golovkin, Peter Quillin or Canelo Alvarez simply would not sell without the former RING Magazine middleweight champion re-establishing himself as a healthy, major player in the sport.
Based on DiBella’s comments, here are several potential next fight options for Sergio Martinez.
1. Brian Vera (23-8, 14 KO) His last two bouts were on HBO, he fights in a crowd-pleasing style and he, according to many, whooped Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in their first encounter last fall. Brian Vera has a name and boasts a stellar reputation as a fighter who always ‘brings it.’ Moreover, his style is amenable to Martinez’s.
If Martinez can dominate Vera or stop him inside the distance, he will have accomplished something Chavez Jr couldn’t do in back-to-back fights with the Texan.
A quality win against this always-ready professional may give Martinez’s stock that jolt it needs.
2.Gabriel Rosado (21-8-1, 13 KO) Who cares Rosado is 0-3-1 in his last four fights? His opponents were Golovkin, Peter Quillin, J’Leon Love, and Jermell Charlo and each of those bouts were broadcast live by HBO or Showtime and Gabe was far from embarrassed in any of those showings.
Durable and tough, Rosado is a fan favorite whose brutish style is ‘made to order’ for Sergio. Moreover, on paper he lacks the speed, skill and one-punch knockout power to be a real threat to the 38 year old Argentine. Hall of fame matchmaker Don Chargin said of Rosado in 2012, “He’s an exciting fighter who would have put on a war with Canelo as long as it would have lasted.”
If Martinez can knockout Rosado and do so impressively, it may set-up a superfight with Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin or Peter Quillin, or a rematch with Miguel Cotto.
Is Gabriel Rosado just what the doctor ordered for Team Martinez?
3. Caleb Truax (23-1-2, 14 KO) In 26 bouts, Truax has lost only once (Jermain Taylor). He drew with Ossie Duran in his most recent bout and faces Derek Ennis (24-4-1, 13 KO) on July 24.
Ranked No. 18 in the division by BoxRec, Caleb Truax is a quality fighter but lacks the experience and pedigree to threaten the former middleweight king yet may give Sergio just enough problems to force the latter to work hard.
But Truax still lacks the name recognition of Vera and Rosado. If he can manufacture an impressive win over Ennis, perhaps his name will be added to the Sergio Martinez Sweepstakes.
4. Osumanu Adama (22-4, 16 KO) Despite being dispatched in seven by Gennady Golovkin in February, Adama gave a good account of himself. Down in Rounds 1, 6 and 7, Adama impressed viewers by landing some quality volleys against his fearsome opponent and forcing Golovkin to dig deep at times.
If Martinez can orchestrate a more decisive victory over the cagey, rugged Ghanaian or, perhaps, an early knockout, would it make him a certifiable bad a** again in the eyes of fans?
5. Sergio Mora (25-8-3-2, 13 KO) Will we see a ‘Battle of Sergios?’
The expressive, sharp-tongued Mora has been lobbying for a piece of Martinez for years. Will he finally get his wish?
Mora, who drew with Shane Mosley in 2011, boasts a familiar name, has fought on national TV several times and is viewed as credible by the boxing world. However, due to his speed, incessant movement and unwillingness to engage, Mora, even in losing, can make anyone look downright awful and will probably be overlooked in the Martinez Sweepstakes.
6. David Lemieux (32-2, 30 KO) Martinez vs Lemieux? Now that would be a match-up that would have many salivating – And a gutsy move by Team Martinez. Ranked in the top 10 by BoxRec, the heavy-handed Canadian middleweight boasts an 88 percent knockouts-to-fights ratio and appears to be peaking.
In his most recent bout last May, Lemieux wasted the capable Fernando Guerrero in less than three rounds on Showtime.
Martinez vs Lemieux would generate widespread interest and an impressive win over the surging contender win would certainly ignite Martinez’s career… But is David a bit too risky for the reward?
So who will Sergio Martinez fight next? Brian Vera and Gabriel Rosado are likely two of the strongest, most sensible candidates at this moment.
Who do you think Martinez should fight next?
