By Bill Emes
Promoter Lou DiBella once again made it clear that WBC Diamond champion Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27KOs) would not move up in weight to take fights at 168-pounds, whether it's Andre Ward, Lucian Bute or other possible opponents. DiBella told BoxingScene.com that Martinez is currently walking around below the middleweight limit, and has no problem taking a fight at the junior middleweight limit of 154-pounds. Martinez is scheduled to return on March 17th, likely against Matthew Macklin.
"Just to end all of the talk about Sergio moving up to 168, Sergio is walking around right now under 160-pounds. He was in Houston a month ago weighing 158. He may have gone back up slightly above 160, but he reconditioned his body and he's closer to being a 154-pounder than being a 160-pounder," DiBella said.
What DiBella wants for Martinez is a mandatory fight with WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
"If he loses to Martinez, then so what. He's fighting what could be the best fighter in the world and there would be no shame in losing to Martinez. Even if he loses, his name is still Chavez," DiBella said.
