If Martinez is the best fighter in the sport how about fighting Ward, Kessler, Froch,

[marbleheadmaui]

Don't disagree at all. But you are doing so in far less risky and therefore less demanding environment.

There are reasons that pros don't come right out of the gate with ten round fights.

I agree, apart from it being less risky & demanding. When you're in there all you want is that win & it's always risk when someone is trying to punch your face off

On your second sentence, that's one thing that really impresses me about Pacquiao. He was facing guys in 10 round bout from as early as his 6th fight or something. Granted most of them weren't seeing that bell, but still that's damn impressive.

We've gone right off topic here

LOL, don't we always? I remember in Ray Robinson's autobiography how he described his nerves before his pro debut. It took him two rounds before he understood he'd faced better guys in the amateurs and he relaxed and fought his fight.