45 Year Old Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez Wins Comeback by TKO in 7

by Kris Anthony (krisanthonyboxing@gmail.com)

At 45 and what was an ill-advised comeback after 6 years out of the ring, former WBC middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez returned to the ring on Friday night in Torrelavega, Spain.

Martinez (52-2-2, 29 KO’s) W TKO 7 Jose Miguel Fandino (15-7, 8 KO’s).

Sergio looked far better than he did in his last fight with Miguel Cotto, forcing the action from the start dropping Fandino in round six then continuing to batter Fandino for the rest of the round. In round seven, Martinez finished Fandino with a body shot to end it.

“This night was wonderful for me. I don’t forget everything I went through. Those were very tough moments when I got up and started training. I was ready to do ten rounds if necessary. Luckily Fandino fell, the blows to the body made a dent,” Martinez declared from the ring.

“I needed the contact with the canvas, with the ropes, with everything, with the referee. The knee brace was not necessary, but it was there just in case: it’s been six years without trying to the maximum. This is the beginning of something very beautiful: I won’t stop until the world title. I’ve learned to enjoy the road. I have in mind to continue doing a few more fights. I need to consolidate here to feel ready to face Murata. From this point to four fights.”

Sergio Garcia (32-0, 13 KO’s) W 10 Pablo Mendoza (9-5, 9 KO’s).

Scores were 98-92, 98-93, 99-92.

Kiko Martinez (40-9-2, 28 KO’s) W TKO 4 Noe Martinez Raygoza (23-10-2, 10 KO’s)

Angelo Torres (12-0, 5 KO’s) W PTS 8 Alexander Cazares (16-11, 7 KO’s)