Who does Sergio Martinez fight next?

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

It is a complete waste of time fighting Manfredo at this point. Martinez has about 3 fights left at the max, to waste 6 months of it on Manfredo would be a really big shame. I really want to see Martinez to finish his career with a flourish of big fights, he has had plenty of gimme's earlier on in his career. If he is serious about wanting to be the best PFP then he just can't fight someone like Manfredo.

I agree. He should go a different route. Manfredo has climbed back in the rankings with his 6 fight win streak but he didn't look all that good his last outing.

Martinez should really go after the winner of Zbik/Chavez Jr. He can grab the WBC strap back, (not that it matters. People know who the champ is) whilst putting an undefeated fighter down with a name that will sell tickets. It's probably the smartest fight right now. If they could haul Surm's ass out of moth balls, I'd like that one too but they won't.

[Cressa121]

Yes I think at Martinez's age, a Manfredo fight would just be pointless. If he were a bit younger, I'd have no problem with him taking a gimme fight as he's had arguably the toughest run of fights in the sport, but realistically he only has a small number of fights left and he shouldn't be wasting them. I'd like him to fight Sturm, but I really can't see that happening unless he goes to Germany to do it (unlikely).

[Rantcatrat]

Yes I think at Martinez's age, a Manfredo fight would just be pointless. If he were a bit younger, I'd have no problem with him taking a gimme fight as he's had arguably the toughest run of fights in the sport, but realistically he only has a small number of fights left and he shouldn't be wasting them. I'd like him to fight Sturm, but I really can't see that happening unless he goes to Germany to do it (unlikely).

And let's be honest, Sturm isn't fighting Martinez even in Germany. He won't fight Golovkin ffs.

Manfredo would be a waste of time unless it was a gimme fight in preparation for a monster fight like against Mayweather or Cotto.

[Gandalf]

I like both suggestions. Sturm would be a very good opponent and though I despise Chavez Jr. I can see how it would make some sense, certainly a lot more sense than Manfredo. Undefeated and selling on the back of a family brand makes a lot more sense than Manfredo who has never been particularly good. Sturm is a higher pedigree, but as has been pointed out, he doesn't travel. Unless it's a 2am job, it probably isn't going to happen. Plus Martinez will argue that he shouldn't be needing to make sacrifices now that he is top of the heap and I kind of agree with that too.

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

Yes I think at Martinez's age, a Manfredo fight would just be pointless. If he were a bit younger, I'd have no problem with him taking a gimme fight as he's had arguably the toughest run of fights in the sport, but realistically he only has a small number of fights left and he shouldn't be wasting them. I'd like him to fight Sturm, but I really can't see that happening unless he goes to Germany to do it (unlikely).

And let's be honest, Sturm isn't fighting Martinez even in Germany. He won't fight Golovkin ffs.

Manfredo would be a waste of time unless it was a gimme fight in preparation for a monster fight like against Mayweather or Cotto.

Indeed. It's true, I didn't really think about a Sturm fight on the other end. Sturm wouldn't fight him anyway. Martinez is a complete animal right now. He looks VERY good. Fighting a B level fighter with nothing of note lined up would just waste time.

[Cressa121]

Yes I think at Martinez's age, a Manfredo fight would just be pointless. If he were a bit younger, I'd have no problem with him taking a gimme fight as he's had arguably the toughest run of fights in the sport, but realistically he only has a small number of fights left and he shouldn't be wasting them. I'd like him to fight Sturm, but I really can't see that happening unless he goes to Germany to do it (unlikely).

And let's be honest, Sturm isn't fighting Martinez even in Germany. He won't fight Golovkin ffs.

Manfredo would be a waste of time unless it was a gimme fight in preparation for a monster fight like against Mayweather or Cotto.

That's true. Its also the problem, aside from there being a lack of big fights for Martinez, would anyone that would qualify for such a fight want any of him? Chavez Jr would make sense but I can't see them putting him in with Martinez. His record has been very carefully constructed, no way they'll throw him in with Martinez after Zbik. Cotto will probably end up fighting Margarito again, Sturm as you've said would be unlikely to want any of him. There really aren't too many good, solid fights out there. Mayweather's spoke about the possibility, but again I can't see him taking it, if he even fights again that is.

I'd rather not see Martinez go up to 168, I feel 160 is an ideal weight for him and he'd be significantly smaller than the other fighters up there. Abraham maybe? He wants to come back to 160 after Ward, but his stock has fallen massively and it's likely to fall further if Ward hands out the one-sided beating many expect him to. I'm struggling to think of too many viable opponents that would give him a "big" fight

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

Yes I think at Martinez's age, a Manfredo fight would just be pointless. If he were a bit younger, I'd have no problem with him taking a gimme fight as he's had arguably the toughest run of fights in the sport, but realistically he only has a small number of fights left and he shouldn't be wasting them. I'd like him to fight Sturm, but I really can't see that happening unless he goes to Germany to do it (unlikely).

And let's be honest, Sturm isn't fighting Martinez even in Germany. He won't fight Golovkin ffs.

Manfredo would be a waste of time unless it was a gimme fight in preparation for a monster fight like against Mayweather or Cotto.

That's true. Its also the problem, aside from there being a lack of big fights for Martinez, would anyone that would qualify for such a fight want any of him? Chavez Jr would make sense but I can't see them putting him in with Martinez. His record has been very carefully constructed, no way they'll throw him in with Martinez after Zbik. Cotto will probably end up fighting Margarito again, Sturm as you've said would be unlikely to want any of him. There really aren't too many good, solid fights out there. Mayweather's spoke about the possibility, but again I can't see him taking it, if he even fights again that is.

I'd rather not see Martinez go up to 168, I feel 160 is an ideal weight for him and he'd be significantly smaller than the other fighters up there. Abraham maybe? He wants to come back to 160 after Ward, but his stock has fallen massively and it's likely to fall further if Ward hands out the one-sided beating many expect him to. I'm struggling to think of too many viable opponents that would give him a "big" fight

Agreeda nd for argument's sake, even if a fight with Cotto were to be made and the Tony fight didn't exist, Cotto isn't going to 160 and Martinez won't make it to 154 anymore. He's been really heavy inbetween bouts and 154 is a stretch at this point. Maybe a catchweight...

[Rantcatrat]

Yes I think at Martinez's age, a Manfredo fight would just be pointless. If he were a bit younger, I'd have no problem with him taking a gimme fight as he's had arguably the toughest run of fights in the sport, but realistically he only has a small number of fights left and he shouldn't be wasting them. I'd like him to fight Sturm, but I really can't see that happening unless he goes to Germany to do it (unlikely).

And let's be honest, Sturm isn't fighting Martinez even in Germany. He won't fight Golovkin ffs.

Manfredo would be a waste of time unless it was a gimme fight in preparation for a monster fight like against Mayweather or Cotto.

That's true. Its also the problem, aside from there being a lack of big fights for Martinez, would anyone that would qualify for such a fight want any of him? Chavez Jr would make sense but I can't see them putting him in with Martinez. His record has been very carefully constructed, no way they'll throw him in with Martinez after Zbik. Cotto will probably end up fighting Margarito again, Sturm as you've said would be unlikely to want any of him. There really aren't too many good, solid fights out there. Mayweather's spoke about the possibility, but again I can't see him taking it, if he even fights again that is.

I'd rather not see Martinez go up to 168, I feel 160 is an ideal weight for him and he'd be significantly smaller than the other fighters up there. Abraham maybe? He wants to come back to 160 after Ward, but his stock has fallen massively and it's likely to fall further if Ward hands out the one-sided beating many expect him to. I'm struggling to think of too many viable opponents that would give him a "big" fight

The only scenario that I could see TR putting Chavez Jr. in with Sergio Martinez was if the money was just so good that they couldn't say no. Say, for example, it would be Chavez Jr.'s biggest pay day and TR calculated he'd never get another opportunity for a pay day like that again. Anyway, Chavez Jr. Needs to get by Zbik first, which he may not do.

[Rantcatrat]

Here Sergio mentioned Peter Manfredo Alfredo Angulo, Andy Lee, and Darren Barker as potential opponents.

Which of those is best? I guess Angulo?

[El Kabong]

I say fight Manfredo because I love seeing that dude catch a beat down! Maybe Mora.

I think he's got to move to try and get Bute

[Gandalf]

Out of those Angulo is the most interesting for me. So it seems he wants to fight twice more this year. In that sense I can understand having an easier fight in the meantime, but I would prefer it if he would avoid a total gimme like Manfredo. That's just a joke matchup really.

[Spicoli]

Cant see Angulo with Visa probs. He's due a gimme, and for what Manfredo lacks is talent he makes up for in charisma and 'story'. It'll be a showcase in his hometown, solid last payday after blowing earnings and a huge push for Martinez. Really no losers...except fans if they put this commercial on PPV or pay channel ?

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

Cant see Angulo with Visa probs. He's due a gimme, and for what Manfredo lacks is talent he makes up for in charisma and 'story'. It'll be a showcase in his hometown, solid last payday after blowing earnings and a huge push for Martinez. Really no losers...except fans if they put this commercial on PPV or pay channel ?

I find it hard to believe that a premium channel would even pic up a Manfredo bout.

[Spicoli]

Cant see Angulo with Visa probs. He's due a gimme, and for what Manfredo lacks is talent he makes up for in charisma and 'story'. It'll be a showcase in his hometown, solid last payday after blowing earnings and a huge push for Martinez. Really no losers...except fans if they put this commercial on PPV or pay channel ?

I find it hard to believe that a premium channel would even pic up a Manfredo bout.

How'd you enjoy Alvarez vs Hatton ?

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

Cant see Angulo with Visa probs. He's due a gimme, and for what Manfredo lacks is talent he makes up for in charisma and 'story'. It'll be a showcase in his hometown, solid last payday after blowing earnings and a huge push for Martinez. Really no losers...except fans if they put this commercial on PPV or pay channel ?

I find it hard to believe that a premium channel would even pic up a Manfredo bout.

How'd you enjoy Alvarez vs Hatton ?

I enjoyed it. Matthew is a game character but everyone knew he was a lamb for the slaughter. Alvarez has some learning to do as well. I really thought Alvarez was going to stop him.