Sergio Martinez Vacates 154-Pound Title, Zbik Bout in Play

By Rick Reeno

Sources close to the situation have advised BoxingScene.com that Sergio Martinez (45-2, 24KOs) notified the WBC on Wednesday that he plans to vacate their title at 154-pounds. Martinez will remain in the middleweight division as the WBC champion.

Martinez moved up to middleweight in April to win the WBC middleweight crown with a twelve round unanimous decision over Kelly Pavlik. The sanctioning body handed him a 24-hour deadline on Tuesday to vacate their title at 154, or at 160. After reviewing the ratings and some possible opportunities, Martinez and his team made a decision to remain at middleweight.

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As part of his decision to remain at 160, Martinez will have to make a mandatory defense of the title against German fighter Sebastian Zbik (29-0, 10KOs), who is the interim-champion.