By Jhonny Gonzalez

WBC middleweight champion Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez has had several experiences that helped shape his successful career. One of those experiences was a knockout loss to Antonio Margarito which took place on February 19, 2000 in Las Vegas. Martinez smiles while talking about his purse of "$900 dollars" for that loss. Martinez has come a very long way. He received a purse worth over a million dollars for the November two-round knockout of Paul Williams.

"I went through some very difficult years. When I fought Margarito, they gave me $900. Imagine risking everything, besides the low pay, I was thrown into the wrong fight and nobody saw me. I made great friends who helped me in my career and helped me get to the place that I'm in now. All of this could not have been achieved without discipline and dedication," Martinez told Osiris Cruz.

"Everything you get is based on the work. Nobody gave me anything. I became stronger through the years."

Now Martinez looks to the future. He returns on March 12 and looks for a big year in 2011. Martinez would not consider a rematch with Antonio Margarito, but he's not against a possible fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr. Martinez has a goal to become the best pound for pound fighter in boxing.

"I want to be the best pound for pound, that is my wish and I'm on the right track. All I need is to face either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr. I hope I get to face one of them this year. I think Julio is on track to become a world champion. But I must say that while I'm a champion I do not think that he can beat me. Maybe he should wait until he gets more experience, but I think that it's a matter of time before he also becomes champion," Martinez said.

"The Margarito defeat helped me. Margarito is coming off his worst defeat (against Manny Pacquiao). At this point I could beat him easily, and even put him on the verge of retirement."