As previously revealed on FightHype.com, Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez is scheduled to make his ring return in the first quarter of 2012. A tentative date is set for St. Patrick's Day weekend. Although an opponent has yet to be officially determined, Martinez's promoter, Lou DiBella, has a wish list of who he wants to see "Maravilla" fight next. "I would like his next fight to be against Mayweather, but that's not going to happen," DiBella explained. "My next choice is to fight the Cotto-Margarito winner."
Instead, rumors have surfaced that Martinez will face European middleweight contender Matthew Macklin (28-3 19 KO's). Dibella, who promotes both Martinez and Macklin, believes if the Mayweather fight, or the winner of the Cotto-Margarito fight does not happen, the Macklin fight makes the most sense. "Sergio's not a young guy, and he's not going to wait until June or July. Macklin makes the most sense," DiBella commented, noting that Martinez, who turns 37 in February, is having trouble finding big money fights. "Macklin would be the easiest to promote since I promote him as well. Andy Lee also makes the most sense for St. Patty's Day. Macklin is coming off a great performacne and you could make the argument he is the 2nd best middleweight in the world with Andy Lee as the attraction. New York City St. Patrick's Day weekend makes sense."
Martinez is coming off a hard-fought knockout victory over previously unbeaten Darren Barker in October. Macklin has not fought since losing a very controversial split decision to WBA middleweight chmapion Felix Sturm this past June in Sturm's home country of Germany. Many ringside observers and fans felt Macklin won the fight, but Sturm was given a hometown decision. When asked if Martinez is considering making a permanent move down to 154 pounds where there are more prominent names, Dibella said it would only be for the big money fights. "He can make '54, but he won't go down to '54 to fight anyone like a [James] Kirkland. He'll go down to fight a Mayweather or Pacquiao. He's a small middleweight, but he's the best middleweight in the world," DiBella added.
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