Boxing News 24/7Denzil Stone – Atlantic City
Two of the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighters, Sergio Martinez and Floyd Mayweather Jr, are currently without opponents having dispatched of Victor Ortiz and Darren Barker, respectively. Now, despite a gulf in weight of 13lbs, their paths could intertwine in the first quarter of 2012 as talks between their representatives have reached an advanced stage, according to reports from a Spanish radio station; Cadena SER.
Ed Diller/ DiBella Entertainment
Widely regarded as the best operator at 160lbs, Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27ko) has found high-calibre opponents hard to come by due to his demolition job through the 12 round distance of Kelly Pavlik followed by his swift and decisive second round knockout of Paul Williams.
At 36-years-old, time is against the man dubbed Maravilla as he once more pursues a money-spinning contest with the sport’s elite fighters such as Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at 160lbs, the Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito winner at either 154 or 160lbs, Floyd Mayweather Jr at 150-154lbs and/or Manny Pacquiao at 150lbs.
Three of the aforementioned prospective fights are unavailable, however, Martinez’s prime target, Mayweather Jr, is on the lookout for the next man to test himself against and, according to reports in Spain – where Martinez is vacationing – the two prizefighters have already participated in positive discussions and an announcement could even be made next week.
Indeed, it is an opponent Mayweather Jr has viewed as a viable one as, prior to Sergio’s stoppage success over Williams, Floyd said he could challenge the winner. That desire is one consistently spoken of by Martinez who, despite his transformation into a solid middleweight, would even drop down to the super welterweight limit of 154lbs if it meant smoother negotiations.
“I want [the] fight versus Mayweather,” Martinez (48-2-2, 27ko) confirmed recently.
Additionally, the radio report indicated that, together with adviser and confident Sampson Lewkowicz, Martinez would be forming his own promotional firm. Lewkowicz’s company, Sampson Boxing, have already entered the world of promotion and recently made his debut in Las Vegas.
Loyal Martinez, though, countered the speculation by stating that he would not be parting company with entrepreneurial New Yorker, Lou DiBella: “Lou will be my promoter untill retirement,” said Martinez, a Buenos Ares born Oxnard resident. “I have more projects that are compatible with my career and with my promoter.”
Other opponents suggested for Martinez have included Dmitry Pirog, who extended an unreturned offer to box Sergio in Russia, and also Matthew Macklin, an Irish middleweight who recently gave Felix Sturm a tough fight in Germany.
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[...] Rumour: Negotiations between Martinez and Mayweather Jr reach advanced stageOn The BeakTwo of the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighters, Sergio Martinez and Floyd Mayweather Jr, are currently without opponents having dispatched of Victor Ortiz and Darren Barker, respectively. Now, despite a gulf in weight of 21lbs, their paths could … [...]
From my eyes to God’s ears…please let this fight happen!
fight of the year if floyd can pull of the win he has to be give top spot in the ranking. He is taking on way tougher compatition then his counterpart.
floyd woud ruin martinez and dun get no credit
Floyd would get bombarded with punches from all angles and would either lose in late stoppage or points. Floyd almost lost to DeLa Hoya 4 years when he was in his prime at 150 pounds catchweight. You think Floyd would survive Martinez who has knocked out his last 5 fighters at middleweight? Please make this fight so I could see floyd on his back staring at the arena lights.
IF Floyd happens to beat Martinez then I think he moves to number 1 P4P and gets all the credit. He needs to beat a REAL contender like Martinez.
Be honest, if Floyd wins, will you give him credit or make up an excuse to discredit the victory?
floyd fought delahoya at 154 NO CATCHWEIGHT
he dominated de la hoya man watch the fight. de la hoya was throwing alot but wasnt landing. floyd was never hurt in that fight. it was at 154 not 150
i say i agree with the anonymous post that maynever wont handle martinez who looked bad on purpose against berker just to get a fight with flouyd its mayweather who is the overrated one he fights guys who arent good but look good and has done that since like ten years dude martinez would actualluy fight and beat him martinez is or should be higher than mayweather in p4p and thats a fact bitches
haha, i can see Sergio saying he wants to fight floyd. but that’s it. i didn’t hear anything comin’ from floydie girlie. hahaha…
@anonymous…. Floyd actually said it would be possible . Not sure if u read the article but it sais they are in negotiations. Keeps on taking the big fights while his counter part stays away from guys on top. And please people please talking about people and work rate. Have heard it a million times. Floyd shuts everyones work rate down. Martinez would be another easy win and excuses will start in the fifth or sixth round.
@mma the excuses will start before the fight is booked! I can totally hear people say barker exposed martinez so mayweather is taking another easy southpaw
excuses will start real quick. People want to talk negative about the barker fight but its the same fight as manny clottey. Only differance is manny could not finish clottey and manny was busted up real bad. Martinez did what u suppose to do when someone has that kind of gard. U keep hitting untill they break and thats what happened.
As a Sergio fan I love this fight. Martinez is all wrong for Mayweather.