Although HBO is doing their best to push a rematch between middleweight champion Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams, it appears that neither fighter is too eager to step into the ring to face each other again. According to sources, promoter Dan Goossen, who represents Paul Williams, recently turned down an offer for a second bout with Martinez. Furthermore, promoter Lou DiBella, who represents Sergio Martinez, also came on record to express his lack of interest in the rematch.
"I don't really want that fight now. But ultimately, I don't have a choice what fight the networks will choose," DiBella would tell Lem Satterfield of AOL FanHouse. "I don't want that fight. My guy has fought three giants in a row, Kermit Cintron, Paul Williams and Kelly Pavlik, so I don't think that he should have to fight Paul Williams again."
Whether they want to or not, both fighters may not have any other option but to face each other as we're told that HBO is essentially giving them a "take it or leave it" offer, threatening not to give either man a date on the network if they don't agree to the rematch. Of course, because Paul Williams is advised by Al Haymon, the chances of him not getting a date are slim due to the extremely close ties that Haymon and his stable of fighters, including undefeated pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather, have with HBO. Judging from DiBella's frustration about not having his own say in the matter, it appears that Martinez may be the odd man out in the equation.
DiBella, however, did try to lobby for some alternative opponents, including undefeated Vanes Martirosyan (28-0, 17 KOs), interim jr. middleweight champion Alfredo Angulo (18-1, 15 KOs) and WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm (33-2-1, 14 KOs). Unfortunately, none of those names bring the type of mega-fight recognition that Martinez was hoping to capitalize on after his impressive win over Pavlik. In fact, one might argue that it's a step backwards for a fighter who's looking to enhance his legacy after the biggest win of his career.
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