Matthew Macklin has agreed to a deal to face Middleweight King Sergio Martinez on March 17, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. A Birmingham born fighter with Irish parents, Macklin's last fight saw him on the wrong end of a controversial decision when he him came up short in his attempt to take the WBA Middleweight title from Felix Sturm. Sergio Martinez has often been described as a small Middleweight. His last outing against Darren Barker was far from his best performance, but it was enough to get the job done against the previously unbeaten challenger. Martinez is most renown for his devastating 2nd-round demolition of Paul Williams.
With Martinez, his adviser Sampson Lewkowicz, and his promoter Lou DiBella constantly calling out names like Mayweather, Pacquiao, Cotto, and Chavez Jr., some may see this as a step down in their selection of opponents. DiBella, however, has often noted that Cotto does not seem interested in the fight, and with Bob Arum's ridiculous requests of a same-day weigh-in and Pacquiao's willingness to only fight at 147, it is understandable that the patience of the Martinez camp has reached it's limit. Given recent commented directed at each other in the media, it is evident the business between DiBella and Bob Arum is on thin ice, so it doesn't look like Top Rank's three starts, Chavez Jr., Pacquaio, and Cotto, will be stepping in the ring with Martinez any time soon.
With Pacquaio, it's understandable because of the considerable size difference. Chavez Jr., however, has madated by the WBC to defend his title against Martinez. Naturally, he would be the best options for Martinez, but it appears that the Chavez Jr. camp does not feel he is ready. Felix Sturm would also be a natural option given that he holds one of the Middleweight titles, but he seems quite content to pick up cheap paychecks and fighting guys that, on reflection, are not elite fighters. At this stage of his career, Sturm is obviously very reluctant to step in the ring with anybody he considers a serious threat, and he is not doing justice to his WBA Middleweight title.
Credit must go to Macklin and his camp for taking the fight with Martinez, in what can only be described as an ambitious attempt with a rich cash reward at the end of it. Lou DiBella is of the firm belief that this fight will be a competitive success. "Macklin has built a name for himself without fighting in New York," he commented. "He has been doing his thing in New York and made his connection with the Irish community...It's a difficult fight for Sergio. He is small for a middleweight."
The fight is scheduled for St Patrick's day weekend, which is a big weekend in the UK and with Macklin's Irish connection could generate a lot of interest, whether or not he has what it takes to trouble Martinez remains to be seen, but the manor in which Barker asserted himself to frustrate Martinez last time out could really give Macklin and his following a lot of hope.
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