Saturday’s fight could define careers of both Sergio Martinez and Miguel Cotto

Saturday’s fight could define careers of both Sergio Martinez and Miguel Cotto

The stage is set, and it’s finally fight week.

This Saturday, the legitimate middleweight champion Sergio Martinez returns to the ring, but not for his usual fight. No, this isn’t against a top 10 but unknown challenger, this is in the Mecca, Madison Square Garden against box office #3 fighter Miguel Cotto on HBO PPV.

This will only be Martinez’s second PPV fight, even though he has been the dominant force in the middleweight division since thrashing Kelly Pavlik in 2010. Martinez hasn’t been a huge box office draw, but his career is quite impressive. Think Roy Jones Jr. without the rap music.

Wins over Pavlik, Paul Williams, Chavez Jr and just straight dominating the division like no other is quite the resume. A victory over Miguel Cotto might or might not be his biggest win, but would probably put him in the Hall of fame. Like it or not people remember big fights, and winning in the Garden against the man that considers the Garden home turf would bode well for Sergio’s resume. Losing this fight doesn’t mean he’s not going to the hall of fame, but it definitely makes it a lot tougher.

Speaking of Mr. Madison Square, this fight might also determine the Hall of Fame fate for Miguel Cotto as well. Miguel Cotto has won a title in 3 weight classes, which is impressive considering the talent in the weight classes he’s won them in. He has become the biggest fighter in New York, in addition to being Mr. Madison Square he also won the 1st fight at the new Yankee Stadium. Victories over the likes of Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, and Antonio Margartio have certainly given him a legit claim to a Hall of Fame nod, but the stigma of falling short against elite level fighters might haunt him.

Losses to Mayweather and Pacquiao are nothing to be ashamed about, but the build up to this fight with Martinez have shed light on Cotto’s lack of a victory over an “A” fighter. Beating the real Middleweight champ and being the 1st Puerto Rican to win titles in 4 weight classes put that stigma to bed. As with Martinez, I think even with a loss Cotto gets into the Hall. But a victory on Saturday leaves little doubt to the voters when the time comes.

This fight is not just a grudge match, not just for the Middleweight title, and not just for history. In my view this fight is for a seat at the big table, the winner punches their ticket to the Hall of Fame. The loser will have a tougher fight, and might not ever get into the famed fraternity.

-John Dyer

-Contributor to www.BehindTheGloves.com