By Ray Ender
Sergio Martinez defeated an unknown British fighter named Darren Barker last Saturday night and three things were revealed that night, Sergio Martinez flaws were exposed, Darren Barker was a better fighter than people gave him credit for, and Sergio is clearly not interested in legacy but more about the money.
I have nothing against Sergio Martinez, he is a very nice guy, I even rank him in my top 5 pound-4-pound but he was extremely hyped up going into this fight for his victories over two basic one dimensional fighters Paul Williams and Kelly Pavlik, and when he fought a guy with decent defense and movement he struggled.
What bothers me the most is his constant calling out of two small welterweights. I’m not the biggest Floyd Mayweather fan, but Sergio calling out Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao for a fight is very embarrassing and really makes him look desperate.
During his post fight interview Larry Merchant told Sergio Martinez that Bernard Hopkins would be willing to fight him at a catch-weight of 170-pounds, but Sergio and his manager who was next to him didn’t agree and his manager had the nerve to act like he was too small for Bernard Hopkins. How can Sergio be too small for Bernard Hopkins when Sergio walks around well over 175-pounds and has admitted to having difficulty making weight below 154-pounds.
This was a clear duck move. They know that Bernard Hopkins is a very difficult fight and Sergio would possibly lose that fight especially after the problems Darren Barker gave him. Sergio and his team were complaining about not getting big fights and nobody willing to fight him, but there are guys at 160-pounds who are higher ranked and more deserving of a fight than Darren Barker like WBO champ Dmitry Pirog, Gennady Golovkin and “Kid Chocolate” Peter Quillin who’ve been calling Sergio out. The truth is Sergio and his team are looking for big paydays, they are not in it for legacy, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are the two biggest cash cows in boxing today and both guys barely weigh 150-pounds soaking wet, yet, Martinez is calling them out for a fight because they won a title at 154-pounds?
Fighting Mayweather or Pacquiao does nothing for Sergio’s legacy, the only thing he will leave with is a fat wallet from the hefty multimillion dollar payday he will receive. If he loses to Pacquiao or Mayweather his legacy will be ruined because he called out small guys and lost to small guys, if he beats them, big deal he beat up on small guys. This is clearly a money move. He is even willing to drain himself to 152-150 pounds and risk his health to fight Floyd or Manny, but he isn’t willing to accept an offer from one of the greatest boxers of all time Bernard Hopkins.
There is your opportunity! Take it while you can! Bernard Hopkins is an opponent who will present a real challenge, add to your legacy, and give you recognition as one of the best in boxing, and not to mention a good sized payday. Sergio complains about inexperienced guys with a big name like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez avoiding him, but one of the best middleweight boxers of all time has just offered him a huge fight at a catch-weight of 170, and what does he do? He rejects it.
Sergio’s new nickname is Sergio “Me gusta el dinero” Martinez.
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