Who does Sergio Martinez fight next?

[ClubberLang]

Martinez is in a tough spot. There are not any big money fights at 160. Guys like Sturm and Sylvester have proven over the years that they don't care about taking on a serious challenge; they are happy to defend their meaningless alphabets trinkets against inferior competition and collect a pay check. Pirog may break the mold of the European guy content to stay at home, but he isn't ready for that level of fight yet. Kirkland needs at least another year to shake the rust off and take a couple of steps up in competition before he is ready for a fight like that. Angulo had an offer to fight Martinez last year for $850,000 and guaranteed return fight on HBO win or lose, and turned it down. Zero chance that Arum let's Pacman or Cotto any where near Martinez.

The way I see it, if Martinez wants major fights, he is going to have to move up to 168. He has said he will not do that, but I'm not sure why. He looks like a very sturdy middleweight to me, so I don't think he would be significantly outsized by moving up, and he would certainly have a decided speed advantage. At 168 there are guys like Ward, Bute, Froch etc...several interesting and challenging fights for him that would gain a lot of interest and pay him big money.

For the time being, my guess is he'll fight Andy Lee next. DiBella promotes both guys, it's a fight he's tried to make before, and it gives Martinez a bit of a breather after a murderers row of opponents the last 4 or 5 bouts. Not saying that's what I think should happen or that I want it to happen (Martinez will destroy Lee within 3 rounds), but I just think things are heading in that direction. Martinez's options at 160 are very limited right now.

[Pavlik]

Martinez is in a tough spot. There are not any big money fights at 160. Guys like Sturm and Sylvester have proven over the years that they don't care about taking on a serious challenge; they are happy to defend their meaningless alphabets trinkets against inferior competition and collect a pay check. Pirog may break the mold of the European guy content to stay at home, but he isn't ready for that level of fight yet. Kirkland needs at least another year to shake the rust off and take a couple of steps up in competition before he is ready for a fight like that. Angulo had an offer to fight Martinez last year for $850,000 and guaranteed return fight on HBO win or lose, and turned it down. Zero chance that Arum let's Pacman or Cotto any where near Martinez.

The way I see it, if Martinez wants major fights, he is going to have to move up to 168. He has said he will not do that, but I'm not sure why. He looks like a very sturdy middleweight to me, so I don't think he would be significantly outsized by moving up, and he would certainly have a decided speed advantage. At 168 there are guys like Ward, Bute, Froch etc...several interesting and challenging fights for him that would gain a lot of interest and pay him big money.

For the time being, my guess is he'll fight Andy Lee next. DiBella promotes both guys, it's a fight he's tried to make before, and it gives Martinez a bit of a breather after a murderers row of opponents the last 4 or 5 bouts. Not saying that's what I think should happen or that I want it to happen (Martinez will destroy Lee within 3 rounds), but I just think things are heading in that direction. Martinez's options at 160 are very limited right now.

Great post, but moving up to super middle means he'll be fighting guys who'll outweigh him by about 10 pounds at fight night. Last night he weighed 170 lbs in the ring, most fighters I see today rehydrates at least 8 lbs by fight time so the super middle he'll be fighting wil be around 180 lbs fight time.

[Rantcatrat]

Martinez is in a tough spot. There are not any big money fights at 160. Guys like Sturm and Sylvester have proven over the years that they don't care about taking on a serious challenge; they are happy to defend their meaningless alphabets trinkets against inferior competition and collect a pay check. Pirog may break the mold of the European guy content to stay at home, but he isn't ready for that level of fight yet. Kirkland needs at least another year to shake the rust off and take a couple of steps up in competition before he is ready for a fight like that. Angulo had an offer to fight Martinez last year for $850,000 and guaranteed return fight on HBO win or lose, and turned it down. Zero chance that Arum let's Pacman or Cotto any where near Martinez.

The way I see it, if Martinez wants major fights, he is going to have to move up to 168. He has said he will not do that, but I'm not sure why. He looks like a very sturdy middleweight to me, so I don't think he would be significantly outsized by moving up, and he would certainly have a decided speed advantage. At 168 there are guys like Ward, Bute, Froch etc...several interesting and challenging fights for him that would gain a lot of interest and pay him big money.

For the time being, my guess is he'll fight Andy Lee next. DiBella promotes both guys, it's a fight he's tried to make before, and it gives Martinez a bit of a breather after a murderers row of opponents the last 4 or 5 bouts. Not saying that's what I think should happen or that I want it to happen (Martinez will destroy Lee within 3 rounds), but I just think things are heading in that direction. Martinez's options at 160 are very limited right now.

Last night, Dibella said that he wouldn't put Lee in with Martinez after the fights last night.

Well, Ward and Froch are tied up for the next year. So, take them off the list. Bute has too much of a size advantage over Martinez. Martinez looked like a middleweight last night, but the night of the fight he was only 170. Ward/Bute/Froch walk into the ring at 175-180. Plus, they all have reach and height advantages. I'd give him a ton of credit for moving up, but it's like Pacquiao fighting Sergio at 154, it's a losing proposition - at some point, you reach your ceiling. Maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe Kessler at 168?

[ClubberLang]

Martinez is in a tough spot. There are not any big money fights at 160. Guys like Sturm and Sylvester have proven over the years that they don't care about taking on a serious challenge; they are happy to defend their meaningless alphabets trinkets against inferior competition and collect a pay check. Pirog may break the mold of the European guy content to stay at home, but he isn't ready for that level of fight yet. Kirkland needs at least another year to shake the rust off and take a couple of steps up in competition before he is ready for a fight like that. Angulo had an offer to fight Martinez last year for $850,000 and guaranteed return fight on HBO win or lose, and turned it down. Zero chance that Arum let's Pacman or Cotto any where near Martinez.

The way I see it, if Martinez wants major fights, he is going to have to move up to 168. He has said he will not do that, but I'm not sure why. He looks like a very sturdy middleweight to me, so I don't think he would be significantly outsized by moving up, and he would certainly have a decided speed advantage. At 168 there are guys like Ward, Bute, Froch etc...several interesting and challenging fights for him that would gain a lot of interest and pay him big money.

For the time being, my guess is he'll fight Andy Lee next. DiBella promotes both guys, it's a fight he's tried to make before, and it gives Martinez a bit of a breather after a murderers row of opponents the last 4 or 5 bouts. Not saying that's what I think should happen or that I want it to happen (Martinez will destroy Lee within 3 rounds), but I just think things are heading in that direction. Martinez's options at 160 are very limited right now.

Last night, Dibella said that he wouldn't put Lee in with Martinez after the fights last night.

Well, Ward and Froch are tied up for the next year. So, take them off the list. Bute has too much of a size advantage over Martinez. Martinez looked like a middleweight last night, but the night of the fight he was only 170. Ward/Bute/Froch walk into the ring at 175-180. Plus, they all have reach and height advantages. I'd give him a ton of credit for moving up, but it's like Pacquiao fighting Sergio at 154, it's a losing proposition - at some point, you reach your ceiling. Maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe Kessler at 168?

Ah, didn't realize DiBella said that about Lee.

As far as moving up to 168, you trade off the 5-10 pound disadvantage for a MASSIVE advantage in speed. I don't think the 5-10 pounds would be of terrible significance. Sure, it would be risky, but the great ones take risks, and, really, what are his other options? He's 36, he can't mess around at 160 hoping some youngster gets seasoned enough to pose a significant challenge to him in a year or two. There is ZERO chance he gets any of Arum's guys in the ring. ZERO. Angulo already turned down a pay day more than double his career best plus a guaranteed return fight on HBO. Sturm and Sylvester are busy making good money fighting stiffs in Germany. Who is he going to fight that is an attractive opponent or who has a serious chance of beating him? I think he should just roll the dice, take the gamble, and move up to 168. Start with someone like Andrade for his first fight to get his feet wet. Then maybe Kessler. Honestly, I think Martinez would be way to fast for Kessler or Froch, I think he soundly outpoints either. Ward and Bute would be stiff challenges, but I don't think either would be a HUGE favorites over him. Again, what are his other options? At his age, he can't mess around waiting for the right opponent to materialize out of the ether.

[Rantcatrat]

Martinez is in a tough spot. There are not any big money fights at 160. Guys like Sturm and Sylvester have proven over the years that they don't care about taking on a serious challenge; they are happy to defend their meaningless alphabets trinkets against inferior competition and collect a pay check. Pirog may break the mold of the European guy content to stay at home, but he isn't ready for that level of fight yet. Kirkland needs at least another year to shake the rust off and take a couple of steps up in competition before he is ready for a fight like that. Angulo had an offer to fight Martinez last year for $850,000 and guaranteed return fight on HBO win or lose, and turned it down. Zero chance that Arum let's Pacman or Cotto any where near Martinez.

The way I see it, if Martinez wants major fights, he is going to have to move up to 168. He has said he will not do that, but I'm not sure why. He looks like a very sturdy middleweight to me, so I don't think he would be significantly outsized by moving up, and he would certainly have a decided speed advantage. At 168 there are guys like Ward, Bute, Froch etc...several interesting and challenging fights for him that would gain a lot of interest and pay him big money.

For the time being, my guess is he'll fight Andy Lee next. DiBella promotes both guys, it's a fight he's tried to make before, and it gives Martinez a bit of a breather after a murderers row of opponents the last 4 or 5 bouts. Not saying that's what I think should happen or that I want it to happen (Martinez will destroy Lee within 3 rounds), but I just think things are heading in that direction. Martinez's options at 160 are very limited right now.

Last night, Dibella said that he wouldn't put Lee in with Martinez after the fights last night.

Well, Ward and Froch are tied up for the next year. So, take them off the list. Bute has too much of a size advantage over Martinez. Martinez looked like a middleweight last night, but the night of the fight he was only 170. Ward/Bute/Froch walk into the ring at 175-180. Plus, they all have reach and height advantages. I'd give him a ton of credit for moving up, but it's like Pacquiao fighting Sergio at 154, it's a losing proposition - at some point, you reach your ceiling. Maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe Kessler at 168?

Ah, didn't realize DiBella said that about Lee.

As far as moving up to 168, you trade off the 5-10 pound disadvantage for a MASSIVE advantage in speed. I don't think the 5-10 pounds would be of terrible significance. Sure, it would be risky, but the great ones take risks, and, really, what are his other options? He's 36, he can't mess around at 160 hoping some youngster gets seasoned enough to pose a significant challenge to him in a year or two. There is ZERO chance he gets any of Arum's guys in the ring. ZERO. Angulo already turned down a pay day more than double his career best plus a guaranteed return fight on HBO. Sturm and Sylvester are busy making good money fighting stiffs in Germany. Who is he going to fight that is an attractive opponent or who has a serious chance of beating him? I think he should just roll the dice, take the gamble, and move up to 168. Start with someone like Andrade for his first fight to get his feet wet. Then maybe Kessler. Honestly, I think Martinez would be way to fast for Kessler or Froch, I think he soundly outpoints either. Ward and Bute would be stiff challenges, but I don't think either would be a HUGE favorites over him. Again, what are his other options? At his age, he can't mess around waiting for the right opponent to materialize out of the ether.

You may have a point. I just feel like really Sergio is a 154-160 pounder. Maybe his best move is to go up to 168 and face Kessler, if it moving too high and he loses, no big deal, he went up in weight, either way some of the smoke has cleared around the division, and there may be a big money fight available at that point with Pirog/Kirkland/Lemiuex etc.

[Pavlik]

Martinez is in a tough spot. There are not any big money fights at 160. Guys like Sturm and Sylvester have proven over the years that they don't care about taking on a serious challenge; they are happy to defend their meaningless alphabets trinkets against inferior competition and collect a pay check. Pirog may break the mold of the European guy content to stay at home, but he isn't ready for that level of fight yet. Kirkland needs at least another year to shake the rust off and take a couple of steps up in competition before he is ready for a fight like that. Angulo had an offer to fight Martinez last year for $850,000 and guaranteed return fight on HBO win or lose, and turned it down. Zero chance that Arum let's Pacman or Cotto any where near Martinez.

The way I see it, if Martinez wants major fights, he is going to have to move up to 168. He has said he will not do that, but I'm not sure why. He looks like a very sturdy middleweight to me, so I don't think he would be significantly outsized by moving up, and he would certainly have a decided speed advantage. At 168 there are guys like Ward, Bute, Froch etc...several interesting and challenging fights for him that would gain a lot of interest and pay him big money.

For the time being, my guess is he'll fight Andy Lee next. DiBella promotes both guys, it's a fight he's tried to make before, and it gives Martinez a bit of a breather after a murderers row of opponents the last 4 or 5 bouts. Not saying that's what I think should happen or that I want it to happen (Martinez will destroy Lee within 3 rounds), but I just think things are heading in that direction. Martinez's options at 160 are very limited right now.

Last night, Dibella said that he wouldn't put Lee in with Martinez after the fights last night.

Well, Ward and Froch are tied up for the next year. So, take them off the list. Bute has too much of a size advantage over Martinez. Martinez looked like a middleweight last night, but the night of the fight he was only 170. Ward/Bute/Froch walk into the ring at 175-180. Plus, they all have reach and height advantages. I'd give him a ton of credit for moving up, but it's like Pacquiao fighting Sergio at 154, it's a losing proposition - at some point, you reach your ceiling. Maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe Kessler at 168?

No disrespect bro but PAC fighing Martinez means PAC giving away a whopping 22 pounds at fight night and disadvantages in reach and height. Having PAC's name next to Martinez as an opponent is sacrilage

[jdonaher1]

The only legitimate PPV fights are a 3rd fight with Williams or a rematch with Pavlik. Hard to say if those fights can still happen. I'd be surprised if Williams isn’t a greatly diminished fighter after the devastating KO he got from Martinez and Pavlik has had too many out of the ring issues to even guess where his head is at. I doubt he can even make 160 anyways. Arum will never let Chavez Jr or Saul Alvarez near Martinez.

The only two I see are still 12 to 18 months away and require a lot of work from there promoters. Kirkland and Lemieux could both be moved into that fight but will require the right fights and a good push from HBO.