By Rey Colon
Negotiations to make a fight between Roman 'Rocky' Martinez of Puerto Rico, and Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba, are off. Martinez was not satisfied with the offer he received to face Gamboa on March 3 on HBO in California.
"[Martinez] agreed to fight but he asked for an amount of money they simply could not give. I invited him to speak with [Top Rank] but that failed. He asked for same amount again and he was told the [amount] couldn't be satisfied. And that was it. It was a good money that was offered. Gamboa will fight with someone on March 3 in a program on HBO in Los Angeles," said Peter Rivera, vice president of PR Best Boxing.
However, Martinez stated that is not afraid of Gamboa but understands that such a fight, and the involvement of HBO, should reward him with a bigger purse.
"First they offered me one number and then a larger one, but I understand that this fight is worth much more. Gamboa is an undefeated champion who wants to do a fight at 130 pounds but I want to be champion again in the same division. And I'm ranked at number three in the WBO and WBA and I'm line to go for the title. I have only one defeat. I am not afraid of Gamboa, but this is a business and I think that this fight is worth much more than what was offered," Martinez said.
