Your 37 years old; your a cardiovascular freak with cat quick reflexes and to make matters worse you do your business from the left side. You've been around the world, humbled World Class opposition and you've done it all with a grace and dignity that makes you (by our upcoming list) one of the most likable gladiators in Boxing. No small feat, especially considering Sergio Martinez climbed off of a bike at 20 and made all of the above "happen". He's quick with a smile, unusually accessible and despite his anonymity hasn't sold his soul to garner attention in a sport that rewards train wrecks. Sergio Martinez is a grown up, he's no stranger to the sleazy politics of Boxing and yet something about Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. just rubs him the wrong way. Something about him reminds Sergio of the hunger pangs he endured as a child, his parents and what they had to do simply to survive in Argentina-and it conjures up a deep rage he's covered until now with smiles. To have something taken from him (by the WBC) and given to a child of privilege who evaded the heavy hands of Pavlik and the frenetic pace of Williams triggered something in Martinez that is bringing out his inner asshole. Never have we witnessed such a good guy talk so succinctly about wanting to take out an opponent when he's never done this before- and this is why I'm worried. Rage is a great companion for the talent deficient, but incompatible with the fighter who holds all of the God Given advantages. Joe Frazier needed rage, and he still ended up battered by a guy who grew up decidedly Middle Class by comparison. Boxing is a poor mans game but it is also a game with a long tradition of men who transcend relatively tranquil upbringings or matinee idol packaging (Martinez is handsome) who can flat out get it done. Of all of the things a "child of privilege" can do, of all of the "Boxing Brats" who never even got this far Chavez Jr. is an anomaly by comparison. Man enough to tell his Father (a Deity!) to clean up his act while Mayweather Jr. at 35 cant even communicate effectively with his old man is a hint of an uncommon maturity. Boxing is not a sport that lends to taking anyone for granted no matter how counterfeit you think they are, one punch can change everything and leave you with no plan B. Better men than Martinez have allowed lesser talents to goad them into brawls, just ask Sugar Ray Leonard- Chavez Jr.'s comfort with all of this should make Martinez want to rethink going after him. Theres' only one fight Chavez can win and Martinez seems determined to give it to him. He already fights with his hands down, and even when he's doing well theres no jab in sight, what will he do when he hits the Cruiser weight with the "Paul Williams shot" and the kid grins at him?. What happens if he hits him with everything while giving Chavez Jr. free reign to tear up his body?, it can happen, which is why anger should have no place in Sergio's corner Saturday night. Andre Ward showed last weekend that Great smaller men can beat good big men, but is Sergio great? and is Chavez less than good simply because he was handled with with care?. We will see, but ask yourself this-why would a sniper enter into a firefight where indiscriminate shrapnel can hit him, when all he has to do is measure the prey and pick him apart?. Body Punching is an equalizer and it covers up all ills in Boxing, this kid goes exclusively "downstairs" and that can lead a 37 year old down the road to disaster.
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