Martinez-Kirkland; who wins.

[Pastrano]

The way Kirkland fights, unless he drastically changes his style against Sergio, he's either getting stopped or stopping Sergio. Frankly, I don't see him koing Sergio, but if he busts him up enough and scores a kd in addition, he can go on to win on points. So I favor Sergio by ko/tko or Kirkland by decision. Sergio looked like he was slowing down before the eight, so who knows, he may gas and get stopped late. But chances are small.

[intoccabile]

The way Kirkland fights, unless he drastically changes his style against Sergio, he's either getting stopped or stopping Sergio. Frankly, I don't see him koing Sergio, but if he busts him up enough and scores a kd in addition, he can go on to win on points. So I favor Sergio by ko/tko or Kirkland by decision. Sergio looked like he was slowing down before the eight, so who knows, he may gas and get stopped late. But chances are small.

Negative. Sergio normally takes 2-3 rounds off - it's always pretty visible too. He took round 5 off and ended up scoring a knockdown at the end of it so naturally a second wind came. He worked a bit in round 6 before getting controlled handily in round 7.

In round 8, he returned (for as long as the round lasted) with the same poise and head movement that he had in the first. This to me was evidence that he took 7 off. That same poise and movement that was missing for 2 rounds is what lead to the counter that scored the KD into the KO.

I wouldn't say he was slowing down - just resting.

[Pastrano]

Negative. Sergio normally takes 2-3 rounds off - it's always pretty visible too. He took round 5 off and ended up scoring a knockdown at the end of it so naturally a second wind came. He worked a bit in round 6 before getting controlled handily in round 7.

In round 8, he returned (for as long as the round lasted) with the same poise and head movement that he had in the first. This to me was evidence that he took 7 off. That same poise and movement that was missing for 2 rounds is what lead to the counter that scored the KD into the KO.

I wouldn't say he was slowing down - just resting.

And why was he resting? For 2 reasons, as Kellerman and Roy stated; his style is exhausting and his muscular build makes him slow down.

[intoccabile]

And why was he resting? For 2 reasons, as Kellerman and Roy stated; his style is exhausting and his muscular build makes him slow down.

I wouldn't even go that far. I just think its a strategy he uses to reserve energy. It's possible he knows he may have slowed down at some point, so decided to cut back early so it doesn't happen - as opposed to actually getting tired and then being forced to rest - instead he does so on his own.

Many fighters do it. We usually see fighters start strong and gradually fade and end the fight tired.

We've never seen that with sergio.. instead we see him start strong, take a rest somewhere in between and finish how he started. Because of this, you can never argue that he will fade late.

Other fighters who use this method are Nick Diaz (mma), Nate Diaz (mma) Carloz Manson and even Lance Armstrong.

What do the above mentioned fighters and Martinez have in common with Lance Armstrong? They are all cyclist. Cyclist do this all the time in meets. It's the equivalent of not working the pedal and just letting the bike roll. Sergio knows what he's doing.

[ADozenArrows]

The way Kirkland fights, unless he drastically changes his style against Sergio, he's either getting stopped or stopping Sergio. Frankly, I don't see him koing Sergio, but if he busts him up enough and scores a kd in addition, he can go on to win on points. So I favor Sergio by ko/tko or Kirkland by decision. Sergio looked like he was slowing down before the eight, so who knows, he may gas and get stopped late. But chances are small.

Yep. If Kirkland comes barreling in to Martinez as soon as that first bell sounds, I could picture a flash knockdown for Kirkland but as Martinez adjusts to the power I see a mid-late round stoppage for Martinez. There's nothing technically that would surprise Martinez.

Kirkland is basically a fit Arreola.

[Rocky Rode]

At what weight? If it's 154 I think Kirkland's pressure + power can take out a weight drained Martinez. I'll take Kirkland by TKO... At 160 Martinez will be too quick and accurate for him. Martinez KO's him. Either way, I don't think this fight goes the distance.

[Akhi]

Kirkland brutal KO round 1. After seeing his power Martinez takes a knee and lets himself gets counted out.

Kirkland stops anyone below 175 in the first.

[PACnPBFsuck]

Kirkland gets destroyed due to his suspect chin. Kirkland is worst than Williams as he doesn't even try to avoid/look for his opponents punches. I give it about 3-4 rounds until Kirkland walks into a timed counter punch from Sergio.

Took the words right out of my mouth, I don't think it's a good move for Kirkland to call Martinez out, but if he wants it, he could get it.

[Picozo]

Totally agree with you. Kirkland has been tagged by lesser unheard of fighters.
Kirkland has also not been in the ring with a fighter of this caliber.

[boxaholic]

Only Max would bring Kirkland up during a brilliant Martinez KO of the "top guy at 154"

Kirkland just got out of jail and instead of HBO talking about Martinez fighting Cotto, Pirog, Canelo, Angulo, Chavez Jr., Zbik, Sturm, Sylvester, Cintron, Rhodes, Bundrage, Martisryon they want Martinez to fight Kirkland.

My Martinez dream list would be

1. Floyd at 154
2. Manny at 150 just so I can here the weight drained debate again
3. Cotto
4. Sturm
5. Pirog
6. Chavez Jr. so the hypejob can finally be over
7. Canelo lets see what Ginger is really made of
8. Zbik his fake as$ Mandatory
9. Cintron so he can finsih what he started
10. Angulo the perro would get bitten
11. Kirkland. I still think he needs to earn his spot back to the top. I can't believe getting out of jail automatically gets HBO and Max to bring up his name like he has done more in the ring than out of it.