The 39 year-old was widely criticised for his performance against Briton Martin Murray over a year ago, but after putting the blame squarely on injuries, ‘Maravilla’ is promising a fully fit Sergio Martinez this time around.
“My knee is feeling great and I have been running in the mornings. I haven’t felt this good in a very long time,” confirmed Martinez.
“I am the same as I was before there ever were any knee problems. I have overcome all of the obstacles and all of the problems my knee caused in the past.”
Plenty of mud-slinging has gone on between the two so far in the build-up, which is only serving to make the encounter more intriguing, as two superstars of the sport prepare to lay it all on the line with their careers at stake.
“There is no hatred toward Miguel, we are both professionals,” Martinez said.
“I am totally focused on the fight and totally focused on the task at hand, which is beating Miguel Cotto.
“Miguel does not have the same power at this weight as he does at 147lbs. I am the power-puncher out of the two of us. The most important factor in this fight, though, is the level of intelligence that I will use on June 7th.
“I am not worried about the judges being swayed in this bout or any questionable decisions, because there is no way that this fight is going the distance.
“This fight is right up there with Paul Williams and Kelly Pavlik as one of the most important of my career,” he added.
Tickets to the Cotto vs. Martínez World Middleweight Championship are on sale now andpriced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50. Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com andwww.thegarden.com.
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