What is Sergio Martínez net worth?
Sergio Martínez is an Argentinian professional boxer who has a net worth of $10 million. Sergio Martínez is widely regarded as one of the best boxers of the modern era. Among his accomplishments, he held world championships in the light middleweight and middleweight categories, and won accolades such as the Konex Diploma of Merit and Fighter of the Year. Beyond boxing, Martínez is involved in activism against bullying and domestic violence.
Early life
Sergio Martínez was born on February 21, 1975 in Avellaneda, Argentina to Hugo and Susana. He has two brothers named Hugo Jr. and Sebastian. The family eventually moved to Quilmes, where Martínez’s father worked in construction. Before taking up boxing, Martínez excelled in cycling and soccer. Once he decided to become a boxer, he received training from his uncle Ruben Paniagua. Martínez continued to compete as an amateur, compiling an impressive 39-2 record.
Beginnings of professional career
In December 1997, Martínez turned professional. His first professional fight was in Ituzaingó, Argentina against Cristian Marcelo Vivas; Martínez ended up winning the fight when Vivas was disqualified in the second round. Martínez fought exclusively in Argentina for his next 16 fights, losing only once. Finally, in early 2000, he wrestled his first match on the road, eventually falling to Antonio Margarito at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Martínez then returned to Argentina for eight fights, winning them all. Among his victories was the Argentine welterweight title, which he successfully defended once.
Boxing in Spain and the UK
After his last fight in Argentina in early 2002, Martínez chose to move to Spain. There he began his long-term partnership with coach Gabriel Sarmiento. From April 2002 to May 2003, Martínez fought in four bouts in Spain, winning each one. He then faced Richard Williams in England for the IBO light middleweight title, which he also won; Martínez defended this title in the UK twice. He then returned to Spain, where he won seven consecutive fights.
Light Middleweight Champion
In 2008, Martínez defeated Alex Bunema to win the interim WBC light middleweight championship title. The following year, Martínez was scheduled to fight reigning WBC light middleweight champion Vernon Forrest, but Forrest was unable to fight due to a rib injury. As a result, Martínez’s interim title was upgraded to a full WBC title.
Middleweight Champion
Prior to the middleweight title, Martínez faced Paul Williams in a hugely memorable fight at the end of 2009. Eventually, after going back and forth throughout the match, Martínez lost. He then challenged Kelly Pavlik for the WBC, WBO and Ring lineal middleweight championships, which he eventually won in a unanimous decision victory over Pavlik. Because WBC rules dictate that a boxer cannot hold belts in multiple divisions simultaneously, Martínez ended up vacating his light middleweight title for the middleweight belt.
Other fights and retreat
After becoming middleweight champion, Martínez faced Paul Williams for the second time; this time he won by knockout in the second round. Martínez continued his success in a match against the undefeated Sergiy Dzindziruk, whom he defeated by TKO in eight rounds. He then defeated undefeated Darren Barker and then defended his title in the Ring against Matthew Macklin. Martínez won by unanimous decision over Julio César Chávez Jr. It was a memorable fight, as Martínez broke his left hand and tore his right meniscus, while Chávez tested positive for cannabis after the fight and been indefinitely suspended from the WBC.
In the spring of 2013, Martínez returned to Argentina for the first fight in his home country in over a decade. He ended up successfully defending his title against British boxer Martin Murray. Following this fight, Martínez suffered a number of setbacks, including knee injuries that required surgery. When he returned to action in 2014, he lost his WBC and Ring titles to Miguel Cotto. Although he wanted to continue boxing, Martínez decided to retire in 2015 at the age of 40.
Come back
Coming out of retirement, Martínez made his return to boxing in Spain in August 2020, defeating Jose Miguel Fandiño via TKO. Later that year, he took down Jussi Koivula, also via TKO. Still fighting in Spain, Martínez beat Brian Rose in 2021 and McCauley McGowan in early 2022.
Personal life and activism
Previously, Martínez was in a relationship with journalist and boxing commentator Silvana Carsetti.
Beyond the boxing ring, Martínez is involved in militant causes. Specifically, he has worked to raise awareness and combat bullying and domestic violence.