MACK AIMS TO PUT MARTINEZ UNDER THE KNIFE

By: UK Boxing Writer Peter Mann

The WBC World Middleweight title will be contested on Saturday night as two experienced fighters go head to head inside New York’s Madison Square Garden.

With an undercard that also sees the WBC Silver Heavyweight being contested, and a Junior Welterweight bout before the main event, the hype is building. Of those two undercard bouts the former sees Magomed Abdulsalamov will face Jason Pettaway, and the latter has Danny O’Connor and Danny McDermott stepping into the ring.

Macklin though looks to take the gold on St’ Patrick’s Day, to celebrate his family’s heritage in style as both his parents are Irish born. Macklin will look to live up to his moniker of “Mack the Knife” and put the defending Middleweight title holder to the sword.

The champion (Martinez) arrives at Madison Square Garden with the greater experience (52 fights for Martinez to 31 fights  for Macklin) having made his professional, in-ring debut in late 1997. Martinez debut was a second round DQ of Cristian Marcelo Vivas.

During his 15 year career, Martinez has tasted defeat just twice (compared to Macklin’s three) as the Argentine southpaw heads to NYC with a 48(27)-2(1)-2 fight record. Martinez’ first defeat came in 2000 with a seventh round TKO against Antonio Margarito; and the second came some nine years later when, in 2009, Martinez lost with a questionable twelfth round MD to Paul Williams. “Maravilla” although age 37, will be hoping he can fend off the challenge of his younger counterpart in Macklin, who is age 29.

Macklin, the Birmingham-based Irishman made his own in-ring debut when he inflicted a first round TKO on the previously undefeated Ram Singh in late 2001. Since, “The Knife” made that dramatic burst onto the fight scene he has gone on to hold numerous championships, primarily in the middleweight division. As with Martinez as well, both fighters have competed either side of their primary weight division.

For all Martinez has only tasted defeat twice in 15 years, Macklin has only lost three times in his 11 years of donning the gloves. The orthodox fighter comes into this bout with a 28(19)-3(1) record.  All three of those losses have been in title bouts though. An omen for Martinez, or is it extra motivation for Macklin? Providing that little extra edge and spice going into the Garden.

Of those three defeats that Macklin has endured, the first came in 2003 against Andrew Facey (for the BBBofC English Light Middleweight title), then in 2006 against Jamie Moore (for the British version) and then finally, late last year, Macklin faced Felix Sturm for the WBA Super World Middleweight title, losing to a twelfth round SD.

With both these fighters having similarities throughout their careers, a final point sees both having a competitive edge outside the ring as well. The Argentine Martinez is both a former Soccer player and a professional Cyclist whilst Macklin was a county player in the Irish sport of Hurling.

Follow UK Boxing Writer Peter Mann @REALCOMBATMEDIA

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