Sergio Martinez willing to take an 80 – 20 split with Mayweather

By Boxing News - 03/16/2012 - Comments

Image: Sergio Martinez willing to take an 80 – 20 split with MayweatherBy John F. McKenna (McJack): The Ring and World Boxing Council (WBC) Diamond middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27 KO’s) is willing to do an 80 – 20 split with undefeated superstar WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s). Sergio is willing to take only 1/5 of the revenue for the fight just to get Floyd in the ring with him. And Martinez is willing to drop down to 154 pounds, which is what Mayweather will be fighting at when he clashes with Miguel Cotto on May 5.

Promoter Lou DiBella has stated that he would jump at the opportunity for his fighter to take on Mayweather with Martinez taking the smaller part of the split. DiBella was quoted in USA TODAY Sports saying:

“I’d do an 80 – 20 deal with Mayweather tomorrow, and Mayweather would make almost as much money as he would fighting Pacquiao.

“It would be huge Pay Per View (PPV) because it would be maybe the first fight in Mayweather’s career where it would be an even money fight.”

For his part Martinez does not believe that any fighter who is unwilling to fight him should be considered the best. It is difficult to argue with that kind of logic.

Mayweather in moving up to 154 pounds for the Cotto fight may have unwittingly fell into a trap. “Maravilla” as Martinez is known to his fans is the most avoided boxer in the sport. And while many boxing observers have correctly stated that the blame for the non happening of a Mayweather – Pacquiao fight should be evenly distributed among both camps, with Sergio openly stating that he is willing to take a 1/5 cut of the revenue, it will be extremely difficult for Floyd to duck Martinez. Even the most ardent Mayweather supporters would have to acknowledge that Martinez does emphatically want to get Floyd into the ring with him. The spin games, the smoke and mirrors, the calling out and the absurd Twitters will not work this time.

Floyd’s willingness to move up to 154 pounds is seen by some as a further excuse not to fight Pacquiao in the future. How then does “Money” refuse to fight the only other fighter who has a reasonably decent chance of defeating him? Martinez by agreeing to come down to 154 pounds has effectively removed the weight issue as a potential obstacle.

Martinez has demonstrated that he is a classy individual both inside and outside of the ring. Wednesday he joined forces with New York City Council member Julissa Ferreras at City Hall in support of legislation for a Violence Against Women Act. Domestic violence is an issue that Sergio has been involved in for a number of years. More recently he has been involved in anti bullying issues. It is not done to get publicity for himself. He has visited the safe houses where women stay that have been victims of domestic violence where there locations are kept strictly confidential. It is a refreshing change from what we sometimes see in boxing.



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