WBC TALKS, ROUND 43: Chatting with the great Sergio Martinez

We closed a great week of the WBC Talks, in this edition 43 with a great former world champion who always wore the Green and Gold with pride and great passion.

A genuine man, who excited us with his performances and who left an indelible mark in the ring, An Argentine who stole the hearts of all those who like boxing, of course we refer to Sergio “Maravilla” Martínez.

Sergio with his unmatched charisma, remembered that ever since he was a child he was a sports fan, but when he tried to get fully into football, the part of playing as a team member, was something that was very difficult for him. So he chose to look for another way in boxing. This was the best decision in his life.

However, he also acknowledged that the last three years of his career were not the best, as he only focused on the competition and did not enjoy everything such as training. During those years, he demanded of himself in an absurd way, because even when he was severely injured he did not stop training and did not allow himself sufficient time to heal.

Sergio explained that in 2013 he was on the point of having his leg amputated, as he had a strong bacterial infection in the bones of the knee that caused him pain that would not allow him to sleep and that he only could calm with heavy doses of morphine. However, just three months after the surgery, he was already back on the ring. Today over the years, he knows that was absurd, but as he himself said, the competition is in his DNA.

Sergio is currently thinking of his return. In fact, he had a fight scheduled for June, but due to the pandemic he had to postpone it. Questioned about this return, Sergio explained that he does not do it because he owes boxing something, but rather, because it is something he owes himself, being happy and not living under pressure from the fight and emphasized: “Today more than ever I know that you should not do extraordinary things but do extraordinary things every single day.“

He confided that another of his motivations is to face Julio César Chávez again, since he wants Julio to go hand in hand with him in a preparation that will bring him to a new challenge in his life.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán recalled, among many other things, the more human side of Sergio, who has been an ambassador for the WBC Cares and the campaign against bullying, since it is worth mentioning that Sergio suffered harassment since he was a child. However, he explained that bullying strengthened him and brought out the best in him, since he considers that the people who “supposedly” are weaker are those who go to the limit, leave their comfort zone and change the world.

Sergio said that Tyson Fury is a fantastic champion who overwhelmed Deontay Wilder, whom he considers to be a very powerful boxer but who does not know how to control that power unlike Fury, who moves with intelligence, comes up with a Smart strategy and goes with it showing determination. And that Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight in the last 10 years.

Sergio also talked about Lucas Matthysse and Marcos Maidana who he considers, two Argentines who marked an era in sport. Great champions who Have already earned their places in history; However, for Sergio, the best Argentine boxer is without a doubt Carlos Monzón.

Sergio´s Ideal fighter

Power: Mike Tyson

Jab: Muhammad Ali

Chin: Julio César Chávez

Speed: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Boxing Skills: Pernell Whitaker

Heart: Muhammad Ali