I was watching the fight with friends socially, so I wasn't exactly scoring the fight as accurately as I would like. I'm a Martinez fan so was rooting for him to win, but my honest opinion is that Martin Murray won the fight. The opening 3 rounds were tight, perhaps Martinez narrowly winning them, but a few were close.
Beginning in the 4th round I thought Murray took over the fight and was landing harder punches, and more frequently than was Sergio. I felt Murray dominated the fight, winning all of the middle rounds up until round 11. Martinez was busier and won rounds 11 and 12.
So, very roughly, my card was about 115-112 for Murray. As I always say, anytime you fight on the road you're taking a huge risk. American judging is usually the worst in my opinion. But anywhere in the world, where you're fighting a champion in his country, it's going to be hard to get a decision win, almost impossible to get a close decision win.
Murray showed some good power, boxing ability and tactics, and a nice uptight defense. Martinez looked noticeably slower and less powerful than he usually does (obviously that can be attributed to his age). Sergio is a great man and was a great boxer, at age 38, his best days are behind him. I dont think he should fight Golovkin because certainly Golovkin will KO him and the more he fights he's risking his health and record. Martinez has been a great champion but clearly, nothing lasts forever and the ride is coming to an end.
Martinez is an alltime great and achieved so much, so he can and should be proud of that! Most boxers dont end their careers on good notes. If you want my opinion I think Martinez should retire. Nothing left to prove, he's done it all already!
