Can Sergio Martinez entice Pacquiao, Mosley, or Mayweather Jr to step up and face him at 154 pounds?

It seems that every fighter from 147 to 160 pounds is on the list to potentially fight the newly crowned WBC/WBO middleweight champion Sergio Martinez.

You can add the names of Mayweather Jr and Mosley to that list. In a recent interview, Sergio’s adviser claims that the winner of the Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley fight could step up and challenge Sergio. Let’s examine further:

“I would not be surprised if the winner of Mayweather-Mosley might want to fight Sergio. It would be a big money fight for everyone.” Sampson Lewkowicz, Boxing-Fighthype.com

Mayweather/ Mosley Winner

Sampson Lewkowicz might be wishful thinking but then again maybe not. He’s right when he said that the fight would be “big money for everyone”. And we all know how much Mayweather Jr wants his money. But would it be enough money to entice Mayweather Jr to move up in weight? Or would Floyd Jr rather fight someone more his size if he can’t force a fight with Pacquiao?

If Mosley wins, he would be obligated to fight Floyd Jr again. However, even if Shane were to split the two fights with Floyd, I can see him earning a fight against Manny or Sergio. Logical thinking would be that Shane would face Manny before Sergio in this likely scenario. It would earn him more money and Shane would have the size and strength advantage.

Pacquiao

“Manny will never do it because really he’s too small” Sampson Lewkowicz,Boxing-Fighthype.com

I don’t see this as an insult to Manny. It’s true; Pacquiao is too small to fight bigger fighters in a higher weight class. This is the same argument against the challenges from Yuri Foreman and Cory Spinks.

Conclusion

Guillermo Lopez Sacramento, CA“Which big name welterweight do you think will step up to fight Sergio for the WBC light middleweight belt?”

Of the 3 fighters mentioned by Sampson, I would say Shane could transition the best into the next weight class. However, due to the rematch clause with Floyd, Shane most likely won’t be available to fight Sergio until summer of 2011. By then, this might all be a mute point. And, like I previously mentioned, I see Shane fighting Manny before Sergio.

Floyd Mayweather Jr doesn’t care about titles, so I don’t see this motivating him unless he can make at least 40 million dollars; and Pacquiao’s too small for Sergio. So, in my opinion none of these guys will fight Sergio.

But, I do have another name that will most likely step up and fight Sergio and that’s Antonio Margarito. I think he’s the odds on favorite to jump up in weight. Plus, Sergio wants to get revenge for losing to Antonio 10 years ago.

Author: Rick Rockwell

Source: examiner.com