By Yuri Tarantin (Allboxing.ru) and Alexey Sukachev

Sergio Gabriel Martinez (48-2-2, 27 KOs), who is unanimously recognized as the best middleweight on the planet, has been offered a substantial amount of money to fight WBO champion Dmitry Pirog (19-0, 15 KOs) in Moscow, Russia, in February 2012, according to sources who spoke with BoxingScene.com/Allboxing.ru.

Martinez, holder of the WBC Diamond title and a conqueror of Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, Sergey Dzinziruk and Darren Barker, is being approached by Pirog’s leading Russian promoter Kirill Pchelnikov, his partner German Titov and Artie Pellulo of Banner Promotions.

According to Titov, Martinez is being offered such a sum, it considerably outbids all of his previous earnings, including the amounts he received from HBO.

“If they reject the fight, it will not be because of the financial aspect. The money is here”, commented Titov. Pirog’s handlers are presently awaiting a response from Martinez's promoter Lou Dibella.