SKY HIGH FACE OFF FOR MARTINEZ AND MACKLIN IN NEW YORK
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 16 Mar 2012
New York - Sergio Martinez and Matthew Macklin stand atop one of the famous landmarks in the world, the Empire State Building in 5th Avenue. There they pose for pictures by themselves, with their respective teams and opposite each other in the observatory deck of what is now the tallest building in New York. Martinez and Macklin are revving up a series of promotional events aimed to build up their upcoming fight this Saturday at another New York landmark, the acclaimed Madison Square Garden.
The fighters then head to the site of their Saturday night fight for the final pre-fight press conference before they battle each other in two days. Their fight falls on St. Patrick's Day, a widely celebrated religious and cultural event in this city. The press conference was hosted by Lou Di Bella, who promotes both fighters. It was attended by members of the boxing press and also by local media outlets from the city as well. Di Bella is optimistic that they will sell out the Theatre at MSG and that his fighters will put out a great show for those attending it and those at home who will be watching the fight via HBO. " Saturday's going to be a terrific night of boxing. There will be a lot of rocking and rolling with all the Irish out there for Macklin." said Di Bella. " They're going to come to the ring and fight, they will entertain." the promoter added.
Kerry Davis of HBO is likewise excited about his network's St. Patrick's day offering. "It's always great television at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Boxing. There's no place like The Garden and throw in St. Patrick's Day. " said Davis. Irish and Irish -Americans will flock the city this Saturday to either join or watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade, an annual procession of everything Irish. It is a celebration of Ireland and its people's culture. Matthew Macklin who is of Irish descent will enjoy the support of the many Irish who will be in the city that day. "I'm ready. I'm prepared. I won everything on the way; the Irish middleweight title , the British middleweight title, the European championship twice. I should have added the WBA middleweight championship to that, only to get stiffed out in Germany to Felix Sturm by a horrible decision. But I'm here now and sometimes things happen for a reason." Macklin stated. He declared that Martinez is the " real and lineal middleweight champion and the best at 160 pounds." Macklin knows that in order to be the best , he needs to beat the best. And if he does that at the iconic Madison Square Garden, that will be one memorable win for him. "I'll be really proud to win my first middleweight championship here."
Sergio Martinez is the acknowledged star of Di Bella's promotions and of this event as well. The Argentinean fighter who is the recognized number one fighter of the middleweight division was an emotional man in his short speech at the dais. He was overcome by his passion to a cause he is championing, that of supporting anti-bullying and victims of domestic violence as well. "He wants to be sure that all women that is abused worldwide ( in connection ) to domestic violence will try to get help and that he is here to help ( in ) whatever he can." his adviser and friend Sampson Lewkowicz translated for him. But he was mostly touched by the fact that he will be fighting in one of the world's most famous arena, the site of great matches in the sport of boxing. " It's a great, great honor to fight in Madison Square Garden. It's the dream of my life." expressed Martinez. "Excuse me, I am very emotional. Excuse me for my bad English. I love you. Thank you." ended Martinez.
Emotions and national pride will be running high come Saturday night as the king of his division in Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez face his strong, young opponent who wants to take away that crown from him in Matthew "Mack the knife" Macklin. "This is going to be a great show, Saturday night, St. Patrick's Day night. March 17th at the Theatre of Madison Square Garden. " Di Bella concluded.
You can reach Rich Mazon at rrmaze24@aol.com for reactions to this piece.
Photo: Martinez (L) and Macklin (R) pose at New York's Empire State Building Thursday. Photo by Damien Acevedo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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