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

[Ray*]

After watching the fight i actually believe him.

[paulf]

Truth. After Williams he learned not to go full steam until the entire fight and run out of gas when he needed it the most. I thought he fought the perfect fight.

[gqjohnb]

I think its very possible that he's telling the truth. He came out with a completely different mindset in the 8th when the cut happened(maybe the ninth can't remember) He started to throw more combinations.

[Spray_resistant]

No, i dont think he did.

why stop when he was already crushing him?

Maybe he meant he held back just to save alot left for the late rounds and finish strong, the last thing the judges see really leaves an impression in their minds even though that is not how fights should be scored.

If he dominated the early rounds and late rounds and did just too little to win mid rounds, ehhh clear win for him.

[Sutekh uvdabrix]

Im buying it

reason being.. Pavlik got suped into thinking he was coming back sergio turned it back on in the 9th and pavlik wanted to quit on the stool.. Like I cant believe I tried my hardest in the last few rounds and he just pummeled my ass

[SkillspayBills]

It could go either way. It's all opinion HOWEVER, that is a pretty damn good strategy. The championship rounds matter the most and there is nothing wrong with giving a few rounds away to turn it up in the final 3-4.

[gqjohnb]

Fighters take a breather in rounds all the time come to think of it. Its tough to go hard for 12 rounds.

[minasyan]

Could someone explain to me why Pavliks corner didn't use vaseline or those cotton buds or whatever they are like most trainers use? It was a crap job by them anyways

Thanks in advance

[djsygo]

I believe him, he didnt want to look tired in the championship rounds, thats a big mistake many boxers make, he wanted to finish big and have all the needed energy for that.

[Miburo]

It's possible, in the 15 round era plenty of guys fought this way.