The third probably goes to Macklin. Not much happened, but Macklin was doing something. Fourth some good stuff from Macklin but Martinez probably shaded it. Macklin rattled him a bit in the 5th. He took the round imo. Sixth could have gone either way. i think Macklin took it. Martinez was cleaner. 7th Martinez touched down after a tangle of legs It was a punch though . Ref called a kd.....big call. 8th All the good stuff coming from Martinez. Incredible angles on some shots. 9th Martinez bossed it. 10th a very good round for Martinez. 11th 10-7 to Martinez. 2 brilliant kds. They waved it off. No sense in taking more. Great effort by Macklin and Martinez was brilliant.
Credit to Macklin, he did very well. Martinez' power and class shone in the end though. Would love to see Macklin get another go at Sturm.
Sturm is there for the taking. Right now I don't think anyone is close to Martinez. Unless he goes down a division, he can lord it there for as long as he likes. Timing and angles of punches are brilliant. No shame in that. 2 judges had Macklin 4 in front at the end of the fight.......
Macklin did well early on but Martinez was fighting in 2nd gear. Had to adjust his game plan because Macklin was trying to counter punch and Martinez had to go on the offensive. The knockdown (trip) got Martinez to move up the gears and from then on he didn't drop a around and became more and more dominant. Love that straight left Martinez throws, as the fight went on he timed it better and by the end of the fight he couldn't miss it Martinez the true middleweight champ, but could be going back to 154lbs next fight. I wonder if Mayweather should he beat Cotto will take that fight.
I had Maclkin up on my card going into the 8th but from then on Martinez didn't drop a round, can't see how the judges still had Macklin up, and I I doubt even they would have had him up including the the 10-7 round in the 11th if Macklin decided to come out. Good stoppage by the corner. Sturm will not fight Martinez nor will Chavez, the WBC are a joke for stripping Martinez twice and giving his titles to the overprotected Mexican Golden Boys. I wonder what Mayweather's excuse will for not taking the Martinez fight? Martinez said he will accept 20/80 split.
Yes, no histrionics about it. Macklin trusted McGirt and that is how it should be. My prediction; "We offered him the fight for more money than he'll make in his entire life but he didn't want any part of it".........................(at light welter)