By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes
WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (51-2-2, 28KOs) believes his recent string of injuries, and long layoff, is the only reason Miguel Cotto (38-4, 31KOs) decided to fight him at this moment. Martinez chased after Cotto for several, but the former three division champion rejected his approaches. This time around, it was Cotto who wanted his shot at Martinez.
Martinez suffered injuries following his tough decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2012 and then suffered knee and hand injuries in last April's decision win over Martin Murray. Martinez was also knocked down in both fights.
The fight with Cotto, scheduled for June 7th at New York's Madison Square Garden, will be Martinez's first fight since rehabbing his various physical ailments.
"It's actually good timing to make this fight and I actually believe that my injuries, and because of the things that have happened to me [in my recent fights], is the reason why Miguel Cotto wants to fight me now. Cotto thinks now is the opportunity and this is why he's fighting me, so it actually worked out. The physical part will not be an advantage for me, because when I beat Pavlik and these guys they were bigger than me. The advantage will be mental, so the physical part will not be the advantage for me," Martinez told BoxingScene.com.
