By Chris LaBate
Middleweight Matthew Macklin (28-3, 19KOs) may be a big underdog on paper, but he believes the bookies have backed the wrong man. The British contender expects a career changing victory on March 17th when he faces Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27KOs) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Macklin gives Martinez the edge in speed, but that's where it ends. Macklin doesn't view Martinez as a legit middleweight.
“I’ve started training already and by March 17th I’ll be in the best shape of my career. This is my big chance. I have the utmost respect for Martinez and he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world today, but I’m bigger than him and stronger. I don’t think he is a natural middleweight. I think he is more of a light-middle, whereas I am big for the division. He may be able to beat me on speed, but I think when he feels how powerful I am he will get a surprise," Macklin told Daily Express.
