"I do not regret anything. I did everything I wanted, I had every opportunity and I could leave having made great achievements. I am happy...I have fulfilled all my dreams and sometimes I think I've overcame some expectations...thank you all for having followed my career and I hope you enjoyed my fights," stated former world champion Sergio Martinez, who looked back on his career following his decision to hang up his gloves for good. Check it out!
PC: First and foremost, thank you for entertaining me throughout the years and congratulations on your retirement. I'm sure you had no regrets With the way your career played out?
SM: I do not regret anything. I did everything I wanted, I had every opportunity and I could leave having made great achievements. I am happy.
PC: Do you ever sit back and think, what if you got into boxing at an earlier age or are you completely content with the way things Went?
SM: I am happy and satisfied. I have fulfilled all my dreams and sometimes I think I've overcame some expectations.
PC: The knockout of Paul Williams was by far one of the top one-punch knockouts ever, and probably one of the most captivating endings to a rematch ever anticipated. Was that your finest moment as a fighter or would you lean towards one of your other fights?
SM: My best sporting moments were the fight against Dzinziriuk and the fight with Chavez Jr., but the KO punch against Paul Williams will always be remembered.
PC: Once the injuries started to happen, I'm sure every move you made from a boxing standpoint had to be very calculated.
SM: Athletes always have injuries and pain, but in my case, sometimes it was unbearable. I never took a fight in terms of injuries. I fought who was the best at all times never thinking about the pain.
PC: Fighters do a great job of hiding injuries. When was the last time you would say you were fairly healthy for a fight?
SM: I do not remember. I always had injuries and all boxers have them. All athletes have them. I come with problems since 2006, but I've always had a good medical team.
PC: I have to bring you out of your humbleness for one second. Sergio Martinez is a Hall of Famer in your opinion?
SM: I fought in 13 title fights with 12 victories in two different weight classes and was Fighter of the Year and had KO of the Year. I cannot decide that, but I could not be happier the way my career developed.
PC: When you in attendance for the Hall of Fame weekend, what was it like being in the company of so many great fighters and you being mentioned in the same breath as all of those guys?
SM: It's amazing to meet great boxing legends. I am proud that I went to the Hall of Fame and to think that I can be mentioned in the same breath as boxers like Tyson, De La Hoya, Trinidad, Pipino Cuevas, Marvin Hagler, Ray Leonard...Carlos Monzon is something else.
PC: What are your thoughts on the current crop of middleweights, like Gennady Golovkin, Peter Quillin, and the rest of the guys in the division?
SM: GGG is the top of the division, no discussion.
PC: You will remain active in the sport through your fighters. Tell us a little bit about Your fighters and your involvement in the sport.
SM: I am involved in the career of Kiko Martinez, Gabriel Campillo, and many more fighters in Spain. I have a great partnership with Sampson Lewkowicz and it's easy to work that way. I will always have something to say in boxing, from being a manager, promoter, or a commentator. For me, boxing is my life. It gave me everything.
PC: Are there any fighters that, if they are fighting, they have your undivided attention?
SM: I have a very special attention to Kiko Martinez and Javier Fortuna. Besides being boxers, they are also my friends. They are two great champions and great people.
PC: You made a strong push for a fight against either Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao. Looking back on it, do you have a preference as to Which one you would have wanted the most between the two?
SM: I always wanted to fight with Floyd, but that never happened. But I do not regret that it didn't happen.
PC: I wish you the absolute best of luck in retirement and with your fighters. Before I let you go, is there anything you would like to say or anyone you would like to thank?
SM: Thank you all for having followed my career and I hope you enjoyed my fights. There is just something I want to say, Hasta la victoria siempre.
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