By Jim Calfa: Former two-division world champion Sergio Martinez is hoping to get a title shot against IBF/WBA middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin in 2023.

Martinez is convinced that he can give Golovkin a boxing lesson, and he’s eager to be allowed to try and do that. He believes that he’s going to get that title shot this year.

At this point, you can’t rule out Golovkin giving #3 WBA Martinez a shot because, other than his one fight against Canelo Alvarez, he’s been facing soft opposition for the most part since 2019.

If GGG is looking to make easy money, it’s reasonable to assume that he would give Martinez a voluntary title shot.

Sure, there would be a huge backlash that Golovkin would have to deal with, but it’s doubtful that it would keep him awake at night.

Martinez’s five comeback opponents:

Noah Kidd (6-7-2, 5 KOs)
Macaulay McGowan
Brian Rose – 37
Jussi Koivula – 39
Jose Miguel Fandino (15-10, 8 KOs)

Martinez will be turning 48 years old next month on February 21st, which is a fossil for the sport. Bernard Hopkins fought at that age, but he was a special case due to his skills and ability to move up in weight.

“I can give him a boxing lesson. I’m getting better every day. I’m not getting as good as I was; I’m getting much better,” said the 47-year-old Sergio Martinez to Izquierdazo.

“In 2023, from July onwards, I will get a world title fight. With Golovkin, I think it would be a nice fight to see, even if he can break me into pieces.

Given Sergio’s age, the 40-year-old Golovkin would be ridiculed endlessly by boxing fans if he were to throw the aging former two-division world champion a bone by giving him an undeserved title shot.

Although Golovkin has slowed and is no longer the fighter he once was, he can still punch, and he would likely make easy work of the soon-to-be 48-year-old Martinez.

It’s unclear why the World Boxing Association has chosen to give Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez such a high ranking, considering his opposition in the five fights of his comeback has been woefully bad.

“With Golovkin, there is a good match of styles; I think we could give a great fight,” said Martinez.

“I’m still not at the level of Golovkin, for now, because the level of opposition I have had is inferior and sometimes very inferior.”