By Joseph Herron:
Clinic – n. [klinnik] – A teaching session in which an expert in a particular field gives practical
instruction and advice to a group.
Seminar – n. – [semme naar] – a single session devoted to presentations of a specialized topic, usually at
an advanced or professional level.
Master Class – n. – Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez vs. Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk this Saturday night
at the MGM Grand at the Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Connecticut for the WBC
Diamond Middleweight Title.
There are two types of fight fans in the world: fans of the street brawl and fans of the chess match. Sometimes the stars align and the world is treated to a very special bout which includes both the brawl and the chess match. This is what boxing pundits and fight scribes around the world refer to as a “perfect storm”. Two master technicians of the fight game with no trepidation of losing and no apprehension to leaving everything in the ring.
When that first bell sounds on Saturday night, March 12th, not only will it indicate that the highly anticipated super fight has just begun, but it will also signify that “school is now in session” for genuine admirers of the “sweet science”. The boxing world will be treated to a true fight clinic; two “surgeons” at the top of their profession will be conducting a boxing master class in the “squared circle”.
Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez versus Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk will prove to be “Enter the Dragon II” when “Master Lee” and “Master Han” square off this Saturday Night at the MGM Grand at the Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Connecticut for the WBC Diamond Middleweight Title.
Martinez, the offensive –minded enigma, will try to impose his unique brand of disjunct pugilism on Sergiy Dzinziruk; who is probably the most underrated defensive fighter in boxing.
If fans of the “sweet science” are looking for a true pound for pound, elite level fighter to endorse, Sergio Martinez is the total package. He has a great chin, exceptional athleticism, and a warrior-like willingness to engage in any brawl. Over the last 2 years, Martinez has established himself as one of the most exciting fighters in the entire sport of boxing.
Most casual boxing fans were educated on what a truly special fighter “Maravilla” was when he brutally destroyed “pound for pound” fighter Paul Williams in just 2 rounds of their highly publicized rematch last November.
Martinez fights in a very unusual and sporadic manner, which has proven to be very difficult for his opponents to measure. Does the relatively unknown Sergiy Dzinziruk have what it takes to “time, counter, and catch” the elusive “Maravilla”? Can he dethrone the current Middleweight King?
The Ukrainian born pugilist has silently been the WBO Junior Middleweight Champion for the past five years, methodically dominating his opponents round by round. The “Razor” is defensively brilliant and has a perfect record of 37-0 with 23 knock-outs to support his claim as the best junior middleweight fighter in the world.
This Saturday’s fight marks Dzinziruk’s initial fight at the 160lb weight class after spending his entire professional career in the junior middleweight category. Current middleweight champion Sergio Martinez lost his first bout at the middleweight level against Punisher Paul Williams, in a close split decision. Will the 35 year old Ukrainian fighter be able to handle the extra weight in his first fight at 160lbs? Tomorrow’s championship bout will also be the biggest fight of the “Razor’s” career. Can Dzinziruk handle fighting on the biggest stage in boxing?
Sergiy Dzinziruk has such a strong mental resolve, that very few variables negatively affect this fighter. His ability to adapt to his opponents style is only surpassed by Floyd Mayweather, Vitali Klitshcko, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Sergio Martinez. He is an extremely smart fighter and has deceptive power in both hands. Dzinziruk’s best physical asset would be his overall defense. His footwork is highly underrated and his ability to make an opponent miss while standing right in front of him is absolutely incredible to witness. If his opponent fights at a distance and allows the WBO junior middleweight champ to dictate the pace of the fight, Dzinziruk becomes a sharp-shooter and an almost impossible fighter to defeat.
The Universally recognized Middleweight Champion has the edge in handspeed, power, and big fight experience, but Martinez has never faced a fighter with the defensive skills of the native Ukrainian. If Sergio Martinez doesn’t press the action and force a faster pace than Dzinziruk is accustomed, “Maravilla” could be in jeopardy of losing this bout.
Sergiy Dzinziruk’s most difficult obstacle to overcome will be the sporadic fighting style of the middleweight champ. In boxing, timing is the best way to overcome a deficiency in hand speed, but disjunct and irregular movements in and out of the pocket will prove to make this a very difficult task for the 154 lb junior middleweight champ.
Who wins this fight?
Because this is Dzinziruk’s first fight at 160lbs, Sergio Martinez should be able to eventually impose his will on the Ukrainian fighter. Expect a brilliantly fought chess match by both men, but at the end of the day, “Maravilla” is just too fast and too strong for the WBO Junior Middleweight Champion.
Sergio Martinez wins by 12 round UD.
Please send your comments and questions to herron.joseph2112@att.net
Joseph Herron is the San Antonio Boxing Examiner at www.examiner.com/boxing-in-san-antonio