Who wins Martinez-Macklin? The experts weigh-in
Robert Guerrero, five-belt, three-division titlewinner
Sergio Martinez KO 11 Matthew Macklin: Sergio Martinez is too precise with his punches against Matthew Macklin, wins by late stoppage.
Record: 1-2
Sergio Martinez W 12 Matthew Macklin: Sergio Martinez is a terrific athlete and, in that regard, is miles above Matthew Macklin. And Macklin hasn’t had a signature win in his career.
But he’s a never-say-die type of guy and he could present an aging Martinez some difficulties. Sergio’s conditioning will have to be superb and if it is, I think he’ll use his legs and his speed to pull out a decision victory in a fight that won’t be as easy as many expect.
Record: 2-1
Sergio Martinez W 12 Matthew Macklin: I like Sergio Martinez by decision in a fight that will be much more entertaining than the fight with Darren Barker.
Matthew Macklin is a rugged, strong middleweight, but I like Martinez’s speed and quickness to pull through, along with his ability to move on his feet.
Record: 3-0
Ryan Maqui├▒ana, BoxingScene/Comcast SportsNet
Sergio Martinez W 12 Matthew Macklin. The signs are there for an upset on paper. Matthew Macklin outworked Felix Sturm only for the cards not to reflect his performance. He’ll also likely enjoy the support of the crowd, and Sergio Martinez looked good, but not great against Darren Barker.
However, I still think Martinez is the classier fighter. The Argentine’s movement will make him hard to find over 12 rounds, and his signature ambushes will put points in the bank en route to the decision.
Record: 1-2
Paulie Malignaggi, welterweight contender, former IBF junior welterweight beltholder
Matthew Macklin UD 12 Sergio Martinez: This is an interesting fight. Sort of like bull vs. matador type of situation. Sergio Martinez has shown us that he is well adept at being the matador against aggressive guys who come in Matt Macklin’s mold.
Martinez last fight he was touched a little more than normal albeit by a guy who was trying to box more but he was being touched nonetheless before taking control and ending matters.
Macklin is a guy who seems hungry and determined and in this past yr has sort of kicked it up a notch. The fight with Sturm although he was robbed is still a confidence booster to him in that it allows him to know he can hang at a championship level.
He is training with Buddy McGirt who in my opinion has a better training style suited for bringing a smarter gameplan to guys who like to usually just slug (think Arturo Gatti).
It’s an interesting clash of styles, Martinez started showing the first signs of aging in his last fight. I like both guys but I gonna go out on a limb here and pick the upset, Macklin by close unanimous decision.
Record: 2-1
Gabriel Montoya, MaxBoxing.com, Leave-it-in-the-ring.com
Sergio Martinez W 12 Matthew Macklin: Matthe Macklin’s style should play into Sergio Martinez’s hands. Mack the Knife is a come-forward slugger with only one or two gears.
I expect a decision fight unless Macklin’s tired significantly down the stretch and Martinez gets his customary seventh round second wind. Should be a fun fight. That’s why [promoter Lou] DiBella signed Macklin.
But Martinez will win a clear decision despite being the smaller man by about ten pounds — a prediction within a prediction — on HBO’s unoffical fight night scales.
Record: 0-0
Sergio Martinez KO 9 Matthew Macklin: Matthew Macklin is tough, and will bring the fight. But Sergio Martinez’s speed is a big edge.
This could turn into a fairly one-sided affair by the fifth or so if Martinez doiesn’t catch Macklin coming in early. I think the Irishman stays up and gets beat up in the last few rounds en route to a stoppage around nine.
Record: 1-2
Michael Rosenthal, Editor of THE RING
Sergio Martinez KO 7 Matthew Macklin: I think this is a good style matchup for Sergio Martinez. Matthew Macklin is more likely to engage the Argentine than safety-first opponents Sergei Dzinziruk and Darren Barker.
That means Macklin probably will march directly into trouble. Martinez will combine his advantages in speed and power to break down the brave but overmatched Englishman, who will be knocked out in the seventh round.
Record: 2-0
Sergio Martinez TKO 10 Matthew Macklin: I’m going with Sergio Martinez by TKO in the tenth. Martinez has the speed advantage over Matthew Macklin.
He might be a bigger puncher too. Macklin will bring the fight all night, perhaps playing into Martinez’s hand.
Record: 2-1
The experts favor Sergio Martinez, 12-2, to overcome Matthew Macklin in their match up in New York.
Read more:
Who wins Salido-Lopez II? We asked the experts
Photo by Emily Harney, Fightwireimages.com
Photo by Chris Royle, Fightwireimages.com
Photo by Emily Harney, Fightwireimages.com
Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]
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