Martinez v Cotto: KO is the only way to go when backing Junito
The spectacle that was the recent Carl Froch v George Groves rematch has ushered in a new wave of boxing fans and newbies to the sport can get a taste of action Stateside as Miguel Cotto and Sergio Martinez face off in New York.
WBC and The Ring Middleweight champion Martinez (51-2-2 29KOs) goes into the bout as the 1/2 favourite but the Argentine will be wary of the punching power possessed by his opponent.
Former Welterweight and Light Middleweight champion Cotto (38-4-0 31KOs) has lost two of last three fights and while these losses came against top-notch fighters in Floyd Mayweather and Austin Trout confidence in the Puerto Rican is low and he is priced as the 13/8 outsider.
However, those looking to back the man known as Junito to his fans should not be put off but instead look to the 4/1 on a Cotto win by KO or TKO.
In truth, a stoppage is big-punching Cotto’s only realistic hope of stripping Martinez of his titles and with 31 of his 38 wins coming inside the distance the price makes another KO a tempting outcome.
The fact that Maravilla is the favourite cannot be ignored though but if the odds-on pricing is too prohibitive then the 5/4 on a points win could be a viable alternative.
Cotto lasted 12 rounds with both Mayweather and Trout and anyone who can dance with Pretty Boy Floyd for 36 minutes can certainly stay the distance against Martinez who has just 28KOs from his 51 victories.
Martinez is unlikely to add to his KO tally at Madison Square Garden but those keen on a round betting option could be tempted to lean toward the latter stages of the fight given Cotto’s past.
His two stoppage defeats came in rounds 11 and 12 against Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquaio respectively and while Martinez does not boast the power of either man odds of 25/1 (round 11) and 28/1 (round 12) certainly provide some food for thought.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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