By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com was advised that Sergio Martinez (44-1-2, 24KOs) is planning to make the first defense of his WBC junior middleweight title on September 26 at La Cubierta, Leganesin in Madrid, Spain. The possible opponent is Pablo Navascues (23-1-1, 16KOs). The WBC has yet to approve Navascues as an opponent. Eurosport will televise the fight, and there are ongoing negotiations to have an American network pick it up.
Ironically both Martinez and Navascues are coming off majority decision draws. Martinez went to a draw with Kermit Cintron in February and Navascues fought to a draw with former middleweight champion Javier Castillejo in April. Martinez won the "full title" when the WBC stripped Vernon Forrest in May. For a better part of two years, Martinez was the mandatory challenger to Forrest's title. The two sides reached a deal a few months ago. The deal tanked when Forrest suffered a rib injury during training, which led to the cancellation of a scheduled May tuneup. Forrest was stripped after advising Martinez's camp that he was unable to make his mandatory defense in the agreed upon time frame. As part of the WBC's ruling, Forrest can overstep the rankings and get a shot at the title when he fully recovers. Martinez is eager to give him a shot.
"Vernon Forrest needs to shut his mouth and stop crying like a little girl because he got stripped. For two years he avoided a fight with me. Now he knows the name of Sergio Martinez. A title shot is one phone call away. I hope he recovers soon and wants to reclaim his title. All he needs is the courage to call and the fight will be made," Martinez said.