By John F. McKenna (McJack): 36-year-old Argentinean The Ring middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27 KO’s) is turning towards World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s) after repeatedly failing in his efforts to lure WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s) into the ring.
Sergio who was named 2010 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America has become increasingly annoyed at what he claims are unrealistic demands by the Pacquiao camp. For that reason Martinez is now focusing on attempting to land a fight with the undefeated Mayweather.
In an interview with Reuters Martinez said:
“It’s a disgrace what they are asking. It would be better if they just said they don’t want to fight me because they know I’ll knock him out.
“We are working on a long term plan to stabilize my weight at 154 pounds in case a fight with Mayweather can be organized.
“To be considered the best pound for pound I just need this little push, a great fight with one of the two
“I feel as if I have achieved nothing yet in boxing. Nothing. If I quit tomorrow people will forget about me. I would even forget about myself.”
Sergio went on to say that the Pacquiao camp had told him he would have to drop down to 147 pounds to fight Manny and he would have to maintain his weight at 150 pounds for the actual fight.
Pacquiao has come up from where he started at 106 pounds to win championships in 8 divisions. He has never fought over 150 pounds and is reluctant to step up in class yet again to pacify Martinez.
It is also doubtful if Floyd Mayweather Jr. will accept Sergio’s challenge to fight as long as the huge Mega fight with Manny Pacquiao is in the offing. In reality it is unlikely that either Pacquiao or Mayweather will jeopardize the “Dream Fight” by taking on a dangerous opponent like Martinez.
Martinez came into boxing relatively late having been a cyclist and a soccer player first. He has the disadvantage of not having the household name of Mayweather or Pacquiao.
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