Sergio Martinez: Miguel Cotto and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Are Too Scared to Fight
by Scott Christ on Sep 29, 2011 6:15 AM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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As Sergio Martinez gears up for his Saturday fight with Darren Barker, the middleweight world champion spoke to ESPN Deportes' Diego Morilla about that bout, plus a couple of opponents he feels are afraid of fighting him:
On Miguel Cotto:
"I hope Margarito wins, because I know he wouldn't have any problem fighting me, which is something Cotto won't do. Cotto doesn't want to face me. He will make excuses about the money, or about this or that day not being good for him, or about not liking the color of my socks -- anything -- I don't know. Lately he has been saying that the money is too short. I have to tell Cotto that if all he cares about is money, then I promise to hand over my purse to him if he wins, no problem. I can sign on that, anytime and anyplace."
Cotto (36-2, 29 KO) is a very small junior middleweight, while Martinez is the reigning middleweight world champion. While Martinez might be a bit small as a middleweight, he's a much bigger man than Cotto. And truthfully? Cotto's probably right about the money. Miguel wants serious bucks from here on out. He's getting a $5 million guarantee plus the lion's share of the PPV money for his December 3 fight with Antonio Margarito, with tickets moving easily at Madison Square Garden. Martinez, on the other hand, is headlining at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday and promoters have had to go really, really deep trying to get people in the building, including offering two free tickets with any $20 purchase of Everlast gear at Modell's in NYC. Martinez does not sell tickets. This is not disputable.
When Cotto was most recently asked about Martinez, it came as a response to Cotto asking reporters who else he could fight for $5 million. One suggested Sergio Martinez. Cotto scoffed at the idea that Martinez could guarantee him that sort of money. And frankly, he might be right. There might be enough network money in it, but maybe not.
Here's Sergio's take on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, the man who holds the bogus WBC middleweight belt that was stripped from Martinez for transparent reasons, and the man Martinez has been promised for a fight next year:
"Chavez isn't going to have the courage to fight me. He simply won't. Neither Chavez, nor his team, nor his entourage or his promoters, everyone around him who are protecting him -- they are not going to allow Chavez to face me. It's a subject that used to get all my attention, to be able to recover that belt, but that dream is fading right now."
Honestly, I'm glad to see Sergio wising up here. In earlier talk of a Martinez vs Chavez fight, Sergio sounded like he actually believed the WBC would order a fight between the two. No one else saw it that way, and I'm sure his promoter Lou DiBella has told him he shouldn't focus on it, because it's just not going to happen. Chavez isn't going to go anywhere near Martinez, who would thrash him. And outside of understanding that Martinez wants his belt back (fighters take the belts seriously, even if fans don't), I'm glad he's not going to concern himself too much with it. No one needs proof that Martinez is better than Chavez. Everyone is already quiet well aware. If Martinez fought, say, Peter Manfredo Jr, he'd be accused of fighting too soft an opponent. In the real world, where titles mean little, it's pretty much the same fight. Martinez is already getting some guff for fighting someone like Barker, who I believe is a step above Chavez anyway.
It's hard to figure where Martinez goes next if he wins as expected on Saturday. DiBella has both Andy Lee and Brian Vera signed, and those two are rematching on the undercard this weekend. He also has Manfredo, who is supposedly going to fight Chavez on November 19, and Matthew Macklin. And there are plenty of international fighters he could face -- Gennady Golovkin, Daniel Geale, Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam, even Marco Antonio Rubio. He could go up, or face a 154-pounder coming up. He has a far outside shot at Mayweather or Pacquiao. He'll find fights, but no, it's probably not going to be against Cotto or Chavez next year.
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Maybe he should stop calling out Jr. Middleweights, burnouts, and bums, and start calling out legitimate Middleweight contenders, rising stars, beltholders, and Super middleweight stars at a catchweight… I’ve never seen someone’s career go 180 degrees like this once he made it big. Stop calling out pple who aren’t at your level/size!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
Well for one, he is a Jr. Middleweight so why calling out Jr. Middleweights is such a bad thing is beyond me. Secondly, how are you going to knock a guy for NOT calling out guys who are a division or two above him? That makes no sense. He has never fought at Super Middle and his body is already pretty buff, I can’t imagine how he’d be able to put on any more weight and not sacrafice a lot of speed and stamina. But hey if YOU want him to do it, then, yeah he probably should.
He is the lineal Middleweight champion so…
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
He says he can still make 154. Is he no longer allowed to do so? Additionally, given the anger this has apparently inspired, could you please list these legitimate middleweight contenders he’s not trying to fight?
I have no problem with his calling out anyone from 154 and up. And as I have said frequently, I have no fundamental problem with catch weight fights.
On the other hand, I do have problems with anyone calling himself or being called a titlest at 154 these days, whose titles were the gifts of the Boxing Commissions. That includes Pacquiao who n my mind beat a big man in Margarito but should never be considered a junior middle. And the list goes on….
My problem with Sergio is fully stated in my fanpost. It is simply unbecoming of a bigger man looking down….as he has been wasting his time doing….in weight for fights with smaller men.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Me so angry! SMASH SMASH! I’m not a boxing historian or expert. I can’t tell you who the best strawweight in Japan is, or who’s the 8th ranked middleweight in the world, but I can tell you Sergio is calling out bums, and that Sturm don’t want a piece, and that Pirog vs. Martinez would probably be the most competitive fight that’s doable at 160 right now. Holler! Away with the righteous anger fo’ sho!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
Just for argument’s sake, I think Martinez would waste Pirog no problem. What has Pirog ever done? His best win is Danny Jacobs.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Sep 30, 2011 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions
As Scott noted, what makes Pirog so special here? I’d love to hear how Pirog is a clear monster and Barker is a bum. The belt he holds belongs to Martinez anyway, and I can’t blame him for not wanting to chase down a fight with the guy who won it given the manner in which he was stripped.
All the greats, or many of them fight to the level of their competition (look at how Donaire fought in between the Darchinyan fight and the Montiel fight. I’m not calling Pirog a great, but Maidana, Pacquiao and others have been guilty of showing up to fights without proper preparation/motivation due to the lack of quality of their foes. Why is Pirog any different? In all his fights leading up to the Jacobs fight he looked pretty awesome IMO. You guys are tearing down a guy’s career b/c of one fight? Seems a little biased to me, but that’s just me. Holler!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
I’m not tearing down Pirog’s career on the basis of the Maciel fight, although it was an ugly, momentum-killing match against an undersized opponent. I’m asking what makes you think Pirog would be another quality opponent for Martinez while Barker gets considered a burnout or bum (and not a “legitimate rising middleweight contender”). What makes Pirog’s resume so special and so much better than Barker’s? Is it the vacant belt he won that rightfully belongs to Martinez anyway? Is it the mere fact that you’ve seen him fight in the US before and Barker hasn’t?
Cintron, Pavlik, Williams twice then Sbik or whatever, Barker, and then JCC Jr.? Is there some kind odf progression I’m missing?
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
He’s chasing a few last paydays, few/none of which are available at middleweight, while still not going up to super middleweight just yet, where he won’t have much power and his speed will likely be dulled. I’m not saying I like it, small middleweight though he is, but I think some perspective is in order here.
by El Destruyo on Sep 29, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
So, Cotto gets the pass because he is correct about the $.
Well, given $, who should Sergio fight? It’s a legit question.
Middleweight: He’s called out Felix Sturm, the reigning middleweight champion, and Felix is content to stay in Germany and fight British boxers. The only other champion at middleweight worth talking about right now really is Daniel Geale. Does anyone think Daniel Geale is leaving Australia after seeing his recent defense and his next?
Super Middleweight: How much more does a fight with Bute get him than a fight with Barker (what was Martinez’s purse to fight Barker?)? Bute offered $1.1 to Pavlik to fight him. Kessler said his offer wasn’t much higher. So, does it makes s$nse to jump up in weight to face Bute? And say he wins, which is doubtful, does that make him any more marketable to the big cash cows in boxing like Cotto/Margarito/Pacquiao/Mayweather? Will he sell any more tickets in the states?
Martinez’s biggest pay days are if he can get Cotto/Margarito/Mayweather/Pacquiao in the ring with him.
I guarantee you Martinez makes a better fight with Mayweather than Ortiz did. Guarantee.
There’s something in him making his own name and brand, and not trying to leech off of someone else’s if he can’t get the fight. I mean I’ve seen fighters disappear b/c they “couldn’t get anyone to sign” (Winky Wright), and I’ve seen fighters resurrected by holding off of the big money fight temporarily to make their own name (JMM at 135, Morales at 140). Cotto has fought: Margarito, Clottey, Pacquiao, and Mayorga the last few years… those are world class if not former world class fighters. You don’t see Cotto begging JCC or some no name titleholder at 147 for a fight. Sometimes, if you take care of business in the ring (Donaire at 118 and at least earlier this year wanted to stay at 118 to clean the division, but might be moving up anyway) you might get a better name outside of the ring. Does anybody else think that if you fight quality opponents and win in impressive fashion that you’ll make fans, or am I just taking crazy pills?!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
well
Dzinzurik was a quality opponent, he behim in impressive fashion and they’re still virtually giving tickets away to his next fight., so….and remember the Sturm’s/geale’s of this world don’t exactly want to fight either, so there’s not really a lot on unless he goes up…
He just wants the money, nothing wrong in that. I would much prefer if he got a catch weight of 164/5 with Bute, but there are obviously practical and financial obstacles to that. He’s clearly never getting Cotto, and I really think that if he ever got down to 154 or less at his age, he would be seriously ineffective and its just not happening.
Anyway, he’s a great fighter and looking forward to seeing his fight this weekend :)
"I live what you talk. I Live What You Talk.'’ (Bernard Hopkins)
Dont forget
Williams and Pavlik. He beat both of them in Atlantic City and in impressive fashion. What more do you want the guy to do?
by tacklerford on Sep 29, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
How much more would HBO pay for Sturm or Geale than Barker?
Serious question. I think out of all the options and given risk/reward, that’s the best $ money fight that Sergio has right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUiCEPVzOEM 30 secs into the video. If you’re fighting for only money that’s one thing, but for history, pride, honor, glory? None in barker jcc imo. That’s just me. Even though Mosley has gotten thrashed at the end of his career, I still remember that he took risks in his prime without having to: Collazo, Cotto, Forrest, Wright…
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
And I get the grudge match
But, how about Cotto’s options since he moved to junior middleweight. Foreman was OK, Mayorga wasn’t, and now Margarito coming off a horrendous beat down by Pacquiao. With the deep division, why hasn’t Cotto faced any of the top guys? And this is a guy who has already made big money with fights against Pacquiao, Foreman, and Margarito.
Margarito on any night is still a hell of a lot better than JCC. Also, yeah I agree, if Cotto wanted to rebuild his career for another Pacquiao fight, Foreman and Mayorga and Margarito def. is not the correct path in cleaning out a division or fighting the best out there. If the complaint is “because he’s a small jr. middle”, then don’t fight at Junior Middle!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
by cylee1180 on Sep 29, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cotto is the Draw
Cotto would make the same type of money with a PR or LA fight with Martinez that he is making vs Margarito. He doesn’t want to fight Martinez because he knows that he can’t beat him. He took some serious punishments from Pac- Man and Margarito, and he doesn’t want to do that anymore. He knows he is at the lower end of the top tier guys and he is only fighting Margarito again because he thinks his hands were loaded against him the 1st time and he has lost two fights after that was brought to light.
PS- Margarito is still going to beat him, almost the same way he did last time.
is there a bigger fraud in boxing then chavez jr .He is 25 years old, he has been fighting pro for 8 years, he is undefeated in 45 pro fights, AND he is wearing a championship belt. 25 afraid to fight a 36 year old? He should be embarrassed.
Martinez should be trying to fight Chavez, he is the biggest name and biggest money opponent out there. Chavez should grow a pair and fight Martinez, who is significantly smaller and 11 years his senior.
Chavez is a Joke
I have to call him out specifically because the belt around his waist rightfully belongs to Martinez, I mean how do you lose your belt without losing? If Chavez had any honor at all hed fight Martinez on principal alone. Walking around with a Belt of a champion when he never beat a champion to have it…..what a joke.
Fair is fair
Those guys are afraid of Martinez like he’s afraid of Bute. Don’t get me wrong, I have come to love watching Sergio fight. He is now, without question, one of my favorites. But this really seems like the pot calling the kettle black. I would think that a live gate in Canada for Bute-Martinez would be big money, on top of the HBO money.
Martinez had a great fight with Paul Williams one and two. That said…;
If we had a unified boxing division or commission we would have mandatory fights (not mandatory like the W.B.C dictates), like in football and we would all see the fights that are supposed to happen.
I love boxing but hate the politics of it all.
Suppport the Champions of Dignity Association (C.O.D.A)
Sorry for the one liner….
hopefully cotto is training for margarito, and not too busy getting tattoos and having bbqs with his entourage.
from birth to death, its just like this.
by catsmasher on Sep 30, 2011 12:10 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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