Much more than settling a score on line for Martinez against Cotto

Martinez (51-2-2) will defend his WBC middleweight title against Cotto (38-4) on June 7 at Madison Square Garden. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly.

Chris Mannix | Mar 13, 2014

Much more than settling a score on line for Martinez against Cotto /

Despite his recent wins, Sergio Martinez knows he's just one loss away from his career possibly ending. — Despite his recent wins, Sergio Martinez knows he's just one loss away from his career possibly ending :: Victor R. Caivano/AP

Martinez (51-2-2) will defend his WBC middleweight title against Cotto (38-4) on June 7 at Madison Square Garden. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly. Pay per view buys could exceed 500,000 -- a roaring success for a fight not involving Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao. On Tuesday, a thick crowd -- many waving Argentinean and Puerto Rican flags -- gathered at Chase Square for a press conference to promote the fight.

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Published Mar 13, 2014

CHRIS MANNIX

Chris Mannix is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated covering the NBA and boxing beats. He joined the SI staff in 2003 following his graduation from Boston College. Mannix is the host of SI's "Open Floor" podcast and serves as a ringside analyst and reporter for DAZN Boxing. He is also a frequent contributor to NBC Sports Boston as an NBA analyst. A nominee for National Sportswriter of the Year in 2022, Mannix has won writing awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Pro Basketball Writers Association, and is a longtime member of both organizations.