Sergio Martinez vs Andy Lee Close, HBO Rejects Zbik

By Lem Satterfield

According to Emanuel Steward, manager and trainer of southpaw middleweight contender Andy Lee of Detroit, a deal is very close for a fight with WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez for March 12 on HBO. Earlier this week, Sampson Lewkowicz, the adviser of Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs), said his boxer was going to honor his mandatory obligation against interim-champion Sebastian Zbik. The fight fell apart after HBO rejected Zbik as an opponent.

"It looks like Andy is the leading person to get it, and March 12 is the day that I was told. Basically, this came from Lou DiBella," said Steward. "I did not talk directly with Lou DiBella, but I have a partner with me, you know, and he told me. Nothing is firmed up, and we have to get all of the paper work done, but it looks good and it looks like it's all going to work out."

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Saturday | Jan 31, 2026

Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here .

Shakur vs Teofimo, Why Winning as the Underdog Is a BIG Deal Paulie & Algieri Break Down BIG FIGHT

In this episode, Paulie Malignaggi and Chris Algieri break down why winning as the underdog in a fight like this is such a big deal — not just for rankings, but for momentum, perception, and long-term stardom.

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