Sergio Martinez: "I gave away the middle rounds to Pavlik ON PURPOSE"

[SuckaPunch]

GL: Cong**** on your championship winning effort. Can you give us some thoughts on your performance?

SM: "For nine weeks I trained and planned to do exactly what happened. I had blueprint of what had to be done; win the first four rounds and then give some confidence to the champion for the next two or three and then come back strong to finish the fight the way any challenger is supposed to finish, winning the championship rounds."

GL: So in other words, you took your foot off the gas on purpose to break him down in the championship rounds?

Sergio Martinez: "That's correct. My trainer told me not to double up on my punches until the eighth round."

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To read the entire interview:

http://boxing talk.com/pag/article.php?aid=19744

[Holtol]

I don't know if he would give the middle rounds to Pavlik on purpose. Sounds like a good thing to say and lots of fighters would say that. But he in the past had a problem getting a fair shake from the judges. And Pavlik has shown to be good in the late rounds. He was likely trying to win every round he could.

[etlux]

I don't know if he would give the middle rounds to Pavlik on purpose. Sounds like a good thing to say and lots of fighters would say that. But he in the past had a problem getting a fair shake from the judges. And Pavlik has shown to be good in the late rounds. He was likely trying to win every round he could.

Interesting. I believe it. Cus when people say Pavlik dominated the middle rounds, in reality Pavlik didn't actually land **** or hit Martinez. Martinez was still as elusive he just wasn't landing as much on Pavlik. So when he says he wanted to give Pavlik confidence then break it again, I believe it.

[RRICAN]

and it worked perfectly, win the first 3-4 rds by far, let pavlik get tired in the middle rds and then pummel that ass at the end.

[DR.ORGYY]

He probably did....cause look how he came out rounds 9 and up.......

[dcull111]

that sounds like total bull**** but i suppose it could be true. surely it's a dumb move to back off a guy that you are pummelling....

[Chip2006uk]

Maybe, I wouldnt be suprised if he had a rest in the middle rounds to save energy to win the later rounds big.

[screwhead1]

i'm inclined to believe this even tho it sounds like BS...there is a clear difference between rounds 7, 8 and 9...martinez basically flipped a switch on and beat the brakes off of pavlik...

[SiCaRiO13 Jr]

I believe him, sergio was whooping him from the 9th round and up

[Heeb]

He said he took rounds off against Williams. Wouldn't be surprised if he did it against Pavlik. Can't say for sure though.