Former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez made the final speech at the IBHOF gala banquet Saturday night by officially announcing his retirement
from the sport of boxing. Surrounded by Team Maravilla promoter Lou DiBella, advisor Sampson Lewkowicz, and Nathan Lewkowicz, Martinez thanked his supporters and fans over his twenty years in the ring. He also thanked his parents for their undying love and support. An all around athlete, excelling in soccer and cycling, Martinez turned to boxing at a late age, beginning his amateur career at twenty years old, turning pro at twenty two. Reeling off a record of 16-0-1, Martinez was momentarily derailed with a TKO7 loss to future champ Antonio Margarito. Martinez went another twenty nine fights without a loss before engaging in a knockdown swapping, close decision loss to Paul Williams. He fought so well, despite the loss, then middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik gave Maravilla a shot at his two belts. The WBC super welterweight champ completely dominated Pavlik, snatching his belts in the process.
A rematch with Williams in his first defense saw Martinez remove any doubts with a highlight reel one-punch knockout, leaving Williams unconscious, face first on the canvas. A total of six defense in all occurred before Martinez much publicized knee problems, and a resurgent Miguel Cotto caught up with him, forcing a tenth round surrender, and the loss of his middleweight crown one year ago on June 7. Martinez finishes with a career record of 51-3-2, 28 KOs.
Article Courtesy of fight news