Martin Murray Plans on Shocking the World Against Sergio Martinez in Argentina

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    World boxing champions are used to performing on the big stage. When that stage, however, is set on your first fight card on HBO against the undisputed middleweight belt-holder, who also happens to be a top 5 pound for pound fighter, in a sold-out massive soccer stadium and in front of some of the most passionate sports fans in the world, one would think that would change the game a bit.

    Interim WBA Champion Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11 KOs) assured ESPN radio earlier this week, however, that it will be no big deal walking into this scenario in Buenos Aires against Sergio Martinez (50-2-2, 28 KOs) on April 27th.

    “It’s not going to be any problem for me. I can’t speak for Sergio… but I suppose there’s going to be a lot of Argentines there watching, and he’s going to want to put on a great performance.  I suppose you could say there is an added bit of pressure for him.”

    There may be a lot of truth to that.  Martinez has not fought in his home country in over a decade, and he was hardly an attraction then.  Just a few fights removed from a brutal TKO loss, his first, at the hands of Antonio Margarito, the differences between the Martinez of 2002 and the superstar he has now become are stark.

    Let us also not forget that in boxing a home court does not always yield a subsequent advantage. Unless maybe, you’re Devon Alexander fighting in the St. Louis metro area.

    Martinez, nevertheless, is undoubtedly the man to beat at 160 lbs and is a heavy favorite against Murray leading up to their April 27th clash.

    Not so fast, says Murray.  The thirty year old Brit is relishing this opportunity but warns us not to underestimate his worthiness as an opponent for “Maravilla.” When asked recently how he feels about the opportunity and the step up in competition that it represents, Murray responded, “It’s not a massive step up for me.  We know what we’re capable of. When we go over there and beat him, it’ll be no shock to us.”