Is Sergio Martinez THE best boxer in the world?

**robdaze151** · Posted On: 4/02/2012 12:10pm

I know i will take some heat but I'd like to see Martinez vs Ward

**OZZ** · Posted On: 4/05/2012 7:50am

I hate to admit it, but I'd have to say Mayweather is probably the best.
However, I disagree with the notion that Manny was given a gift decision in his last bout.
Just to be sure, I watched the fight twice and scored it, with Manny coming ahead by two rounds.
Close, to be sure. But in Boxing its the challenger's job to TAKE the champion's strap, not just do enough to make the decision close. Marquez failed to do that.

***Tranquil Suit*** · Posted On: 4/05/2012 10:41am

Originally Posted by OZZ

Just to be sure, I watched the fight twice and scored it, with Manny coming ahead by two rounds.
Close, to be sure.

Yeah, but he didn't run through Marquez like everyone expected. Thus putting him in #2. Especially after what Mayweather did to Marquez.

Originally Posted by OZZ

But in Boxing its the challenger's job to TAKE the champion's strap, not just do enough to make the decision close.

Sir, I disagree.

**OZZ** · Posted On: 4/06/2012 11:58am

We can agree to disagree.
But in the majority of cases, a challenger will not get a decision in his favor when taking on a well-respected champion unless he takes the fight TO him and wins the majority of the rounds convincingly, or scores a couple of knockdowns.
Counter-punching, unless done so in a fashion that dominates the other fighter, will not convince very many judges to take a champion's belt away.
A close decision will almost invariably end in the title -holder's favor.

**Iron_Stance** · Posted On: 4/06/2012 1:01pm

Mayweather is the best boxer in the world right now. His defense is just too good. I want to see him face young lions though to see if he can handle the new up and comers. I think he'll win most if not all his next matches.:aintthatsomeshit:

**atomicpoet** · Posted On: 4/09/2012 12:24am

Originally Posted by Iron_Stance

Mayweather is the best boxer in the world right now. His defense is just too good. I want to see him face young lions though to see if he can handle the new up and comers. I think he'll win most if not all his next matches.:aintthatsomeshit:

Once again, Mayweather is good. However, if you think he's a world apart from other elite boxers, I staunchly recommend that you watch more boxing.

Yes, the argument can be made that he is the best boxer in the world. You can also make the argument that Pacquiao and Martinez are the best boxers in the world too.

If you think Mayweather is unbeatable I have one name for you: Castillo. He should have won their first match, and kept the title. In fact, Lederman had it 115-111 for Castillo.

Certainly, Mayweather legitimately beat Castillo in the rematch — but even then it was close. Scores in the rematch were 115-113, 116-113, 115-113.

Mayweather is very beatable. He just hasn't been matched with someone who has done it yet.

***Tranquil Suit*** · Posted On: 4/09/2012 7:35am

Originally Posted by atomicpoet

If you think Mayweather is unbeatable I have one name for you: Castillo. He should have won their first match, and kept the title. In fact, Lederman had it 115-111 for Castillo.

Certainly, Mayweather legitimately beat Castillo in the rematch — but even then it was close. Scores in the rematch were 115-113, 116-113, 115-113.

Mayweather is very beatable. He just hasn't been matched with someone who has done it yet.

That was 10 years ago! That's a whole era in boxing...

Pacman and Martinez weren't all that back then either.

**atomicpoet** · Posted On: 4/09/2012 1:00pm

Originally Posted by Tranquil Suit

That was 10 years ago! That's a whole era in boxing...

Pacman and Martinez weren't all that back then either.

That was Mayweather's prime. He's now 35-years-old, and much slower. If he was beatable then, he is beatable now.

Besides, everyone in boxing is beatable. Even Sugar Ray Robinson, who was the greatest to ever lace up gloves, was beaten by Jake LaMotta. Mayweather is no Sugar Ray Robinson.

***Tranquil Suit*** · Posted On: 4/09/2012 4:44pm

Originally Posted by atomicpoet

That was Mayweather's prime. He's now 35-years-old, and much slower. If he was beatable then, he is beatable now.

Besides, everyone in boxing is beatable. Even Sugar Ray Robinson, who was the greatest to ever lace up gloves, was beaten by Jake LaMotta. Mayweather is no Sugar Ray Robinson.

Which is all irrelevant since we're talking about current p4p rankings.

**atomicpoet** · Posted On: 4/09/2012 6:53pm

Originally Posted by Tranquil Suit

Which is all irrelevant since we're talking about current p4p rankings.

I disagree. The first Castillo fight establishes the template for how to beat Mayweather.

Castillo won rounds by pressuring Mayweather, and taking the fight to the inside. He was able to beat Castillo in the rematch due to superior footwork — but Mayweather no longer has this advantage anymore. Instead, he makes due with coaxing his opponents into the pocket, then feeding them with the jab.

Anyone who beats Mayweather will need to know how to fight on the inside. Let's list current P4P fighters between Welterweight and Middleweight who demonstrate inside fighting skill. I'll also comment on the likelihood each fighter has on beating Mayweather.

Sergio Martinez - extremely likely. He's bigger than Mayweather, has superior power and comparable speed. It's proven he has knockout power too.
Manny Pacquiao - somewhat likely. He's a pressure fighter, with high volume punches. However, he also has shown weakness to counterpunching, but Marquez' counterpunching style is very different from Mayweather's.
Timothy Bradley - likely. Bradley is the most underrated fighter around right now. In fact, I think he might upset Pacquiao in June. Having beat Witter, Alexander, and Peterson, he's got demonstrated ability on the inside.
Miguel Cotto - not likely, but possible. This is Mayweather's next fight. Cotto is very adept at the inside, but may be damaged goods after the Margarito fight (which wasn't a fair fight at all).
Juan Manuel Marquez - Not likely, but plausible. Yes, I know Mayweather ran roughshod over Marquez the last time. However, Mayweather did not bother making weight, and Marquez did not put on weight correctly. This gave Mayweather an unfair advantage. If Marquez changes his strategy — just as he did against Pacquiao, it could happen.

Of course, this list doesn't include fighters who aren't on the P4P list but might still be able to do it: Saul Alvarez, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., for instance.