Sergio Martinez Says He's Been Promised WBC Shot in March

Current, reigning, and legitimate middleweight world champion Sergio Martinez says that he's been promised a shot at the WBC paper title currently held by Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in March 2012:

"I received the promise that next year in March, I would be fighting for the world championship at 160-pounds. So Chavez will make an optional defense, and the winner of that defense is going to fight me for the world title."

Martinez was stripped of the WBC title after HBO refused to air a March fight between he and mandatory challenger Sebastian Zbik, which made Zbik the titleholder, and then HBO bought a fight between Zbik and Chavez. I mention this whole unfolding of events every time we bring this up because I think it's important to be reminded every time how shady the entire situation was.

Martinez defends his lineal championship on October 1 against Darren Barker. Chavez has a tentative date set on November 19, most likely against Peter Manfredo Jr on HBO. Martinez will be a heavy favorite against Barker, while many feel that Chavez vs Manfredo is a 50-50 sort of fight. Some have even wondered why Martinez, the real champion, is so desperately chasing a Chavez fight, but that answer is easy: Money. Chavez is a money fighter, though he's at least a class below Martinez in skill.