WBC middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez gave high praise to his Argentine countryman Marcos "Chino" Maidana. He says the newly crowned WBA welterweight champion deserves the "Olimpia de Oro" award, for last Saturday's sensational performance against previously undefeated Adrien Broner.
“Chino is great, he's just great. He's earned the Olimpia de Oro,” Martinez said.
The “Olimpia de Oro” is an award granted by the Sports Journalists of Argentina to the outstanding athlete of the year. Martinez won the award in 2012 - and it was the first time a boxer had won the award in 18 years.
Some Argentine sports idols who've won the prestigious award include: Juan Manuel Fangio (1954), Carlos Monzón (1972), Guillermo Vilas (1974, 1975 y 1977), Diego Maradona (1979 and1986), Emanuel Ginóbili (2003 y 2004), Luciana Aymar (2010) and Lionel Messi (2011).