On Saturday June 7, 2014 Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez will step into the ring against the challenger from Caguas, Miguel Cotto. This fight is for WBC Middleweight Title. But more than that, this fight represents multiple opportunities and possibilities. For Miguel, it means the possibility of becoming the first fighter in Puerto Rican history to win titles in four weight classes. It also means the possibility for a future fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. For Martinez,  this fight represents the defending of his middleweight crown but also solidifying himself as an elite fighter. In beating an A-Side fighter in Miguel Cotto, Sergio Martinez can add a reputable future hall of fame fighter to his boxing resume.

Both men are coming off wins. Cotto beat Delvin Rodriguez back in October of 2013 and Martinez beat Martin Murray in April of 2013. Cotto will come into the ring with more recent activity where as Maravilla will have had a whole year of absence from the ring. The question remains, will Martinez’s past injuries be a factor in this fight? Let’s see how the Blood Money Boxing team is predicting the outcome of this fight.

Jarrett Bato

The fight hype for Cotto-Martinez was a 100% immediately after the Mayweather fight, marketing the best thing they have going for the fight: there is no one with a clear advantage. Just for that small, significant, and delightful fact, I’m extremely happy, because all the fight fans I know and all around the world through twitter and facebook are excited about this fight. My Puerto Rican co-worker Julio is #teamcotto, and I am #teammaravilla since he took out Paul Williams. He predicts a 6th round stoppage, and I predict inline to Maravilla’s own prediction, a 9th round knockout. I am hoping that the fight goes the distance, personally, as the styles that will be displayed that night are very interesting theoretically.

Cotto’s brawling style has been tamed and refined somewhat by being in Roach’s stable, and given his last fight with Delvin Rodriguez, bringing in vintage-Cotto-style with strong left hooks felt by the light-middleweights, I think he is thriving under Roach’s guidance, bringing big power up weight classes.

Maravilla, however, has so many intangibles going for him, and against him too. His injuries, however much he claims healthy, will be a factor that Cotto will take advantage off immediately if he shows any sign of holding back in ring movement. But Maravilla’s strength in will and genius improvisation could steal the show if he is able to hurt Cotto, as Maravilla does have the power in his hands that brought bigger men down.

I think Maravilla’s mind will be the winning factor here, so much so that he will fulfill his own destiny and his prediction. #warmaravilla!

Sergio Martinez with the Win

Miguel Marino 

Home-court advantage is something that the ordinary boxing fan doesn’t normally associated with boxing. Fights occur sporadically throughout cities and venues that make it hard for fighters to call a venue their home. Well, there might be an exception.  Miguel Cotto boasts a proud 7-1 record at Madison Square Garden where he’ll face a “100% healthy” Sergio Martinez. Though Martinez is considered a slight favorite, I expect Cotto to be aggressive from the starting bell and land some quality punches. This will be closer than people think, but ultimately, the home-court advantage of the Madison Square Garden will favor Miguel Cotto.

Miguel Cotto via split-decision

Jose Hernandez 

Miguel Cotto wins a close decision 

Rudy Mondragon

This is the fight of what ifs? If Sergio Martinez is healthy, he should win a tough war. If his knee and hands are fine, he will be his usual self. If Sergio doesn’t blow up to more than 16 lbs, he will be able to maintain speed and fluidity. If Miguel Cotto brings back his signature left hook, he will be able to break down his opponent. If Cotto can outbox the athlete, he will make it a competitive fight that will go to the cards. In my honest opinion, I feel that a year off did Martinez well. He has healed. He will have ring rust, but he will command the ring, use his speed to counter attack, and when Cotto uses his signature two glove guard close to his temples, Martinez will make him pay with hard hooks that will connect to Cotto’s gloves, transferring pain to the mans head. Think Darren Barker fight. In beating Cotto to the punch, Martinez will draw blood midway into the fight and that is when Miguel will start to open up and go on survival mode. This is dangerous as Martinez will have more openings to execute. Look for a 10th round stoppage for your winner and still WBC Middleweight Champion, Sergio Martinez.

Sergio Martinez via 10th round TKO