By Chris Cella
Next month the world’s number one middleweight Sergio Martinez will put his belt on the line in front of 50,000 plus adoring fans as he welcomes the UK’s undefeated Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11 KO) the opportunity to fight for the championship.
Photo: Hatton Group
Live from Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 27, Martinez (50-2-2, 28 KO) and Murray will go to battle for the WBC middleweight title, and despite fighting all of his 26 professional bouts within Europe, Murray’s team is confident that the 30-year-old fighter is ready for the challenge on foreign soil.
“Martin is a model professional so he’s treating this fight the same way as any other,” Murray’s manager Neil Marsh said. “Martin knows he’s one of the best middleweights in the world and he’ll make sure he prepares correctly so to him it’s just about going there and doing his job. As a manager I’m lucky to have Martin because he’s never refused a fight and he’s ready for anyone anywhere. Is he daunted? No way whatsoever.”
The road to getting this title fight against Martinez has included Murray defeating more than a handful of less than formidable opponents, with the most recognizable name on his resume being Felix Sturm, who he fought to a draw with in 2011. But still, winning consistently and defeating the challengers laid out in front of him has landed him this huge opportunity.
A win for Murray could be one of the greatest boxing feats for the UK, though being ready and unnerved about fighting in front of Martinez’s hometown is hardly the prerequisites for exiting the ring with the belt.
Murray will have his hands full April 27 against the middleweight king; through his 15-year career Martinez has established himself as one of the top fighters in the game, and as of late has been untouchable in the division.
“Murray is a great sportsman; to be respected,” Martinez told BoxingScene.com. “He’s young and strong. It’s great that he wants to give his all but the fight won’t go past the eighth round.”
Since his last loss in 2009 to Paul Williams, Martinez has gone on to win six straight, defeating one top prospect after another en route to securing his middleweight legacy. Tickets for this middleweight championship of the world are nearly sold out an anticipated $5 million USD gate is expected. Even at 38, Martinez knows how to fill seats, especially in Argentina.
It has been over 10 years since he has performed in front of his country men and women, and April 27 fans can expect him to go out and put on a show against Murray.
Martinez vs. Murray will be aired live on HBO on April 27.
