By Nicholas Samuilov, notifight.com

WBC Diamond middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KOs) is ready and eager to defend his title against undefeated Darren Barker (23-0, 14 KOs) this Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Martinez sat down with BoxingScene.com/NotiFight.com to discuss a variety of topics.

How was your training for this fight?

The preparation was very good. Eight weeks of the best training. This is the most intense and hardest preparation of my entire career. We worked on everything as planned. We worked on power, on speed, movements ... Everything went perfect for getting in there in best way, both the weight and our physical condition and boxing.

What is your take on this fight?

I will go in there and box. I'll feel him out in the first round and create the distance. And then I'll get busier as I get more comfortable, and then attack with speed and power. I hope to knock him out in the first six or seven rounds. I will continue attacking until I overwhelm him.

What do you think about Barker?

He's a complicated defensive boxer. He's slippery and moves well. I will remain calm and respect the game plan and the work we've done in the gym. He has a good right hand, and he throws a good a left uppercut and a hook to the liver.

Do you think that you'll get the fight with Chavez?

He doesn't want to fight me. He's scared of me. It's that simple. As much as I try and demand the fight, the World Boxing Council does not force the issue, so unfortunately I have to forget about that fight and focus on other fights. I wanted to regain the belt, that I never lost in the ring, but I won't get the chance. And this is something that really hurts.

The other champions do not want to fight me. So I'm think about going to another division. My body is more likely to drop to 154-pounds than go up to 168.

Who would you face at 154?

Cotto is afraid to face me. I already said I want that fight. Margarito is possible. I think it's a fight that could be interesting for both the fans and for us. If Margarito beats Cotto and shows improvement, he would be a good choice. I know he would want to fight me, unlike Cotto. It could be a good fight and it's a rematch for me.

Beyond this, the two great battles I hope to get are against Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. It could be at 151 or 150-pounds. It would just be a matter of discussing it. Mayweather is still my biggest challenge. He is currently the best pound for pound fighter and I am the second. And he would accept a challenge from me. He would do it. Obviously, so would I. It would be a great fight for both, and for everyone in boxing.