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Sergio Martinez Still Fighting for Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather JR

By Geno McGahee

This Saturday, Sergio Martinez, 47-2-2, 26 KO’s, faces off against the unknown British import, Darren Barker, 23-0, 14 KO’s, in a very low profile showdown on HBO. Martinez is universally recognized as the #3 pound for pound best fighter in the world, behind the two biggest names in boxing, Floyd Mayweather, JR., and Manny Pacquiao. The sad thing about Martinez is that he is 36 years old and too good to get a shot at either.

Martinez lost early in his career to Antonio Margarito, and given the history of Margarito, I have little doubt that he beat him with plastered fists. He would lose a hotly disputed and close decision to Paul Williams, get robbed with a ridiculous draw to Kermit Cintron, a man that he realistically stopped before some of the worst officiating came into play, and has finally come into his own and is recognized as one of the best in the game.

A bout with Manny Pacquiao is the biggest long shot and with good reason. Martinez is a natural junior middleweight and Pacquiao is not comfortable that high. He is naturally 135 pounds and has used his talent to overcome bigger opponents, but none of them were of the ability or talent of a Martinez. If they were, Pacquiao would lose. He can only move up so far before he meets the wrong guy.

Floyd Mayweather, JR., is the best match. He is bigger, fights at welterweight but could move up to junior middleweight without a problem, and it would be a huge fight for boxing. The problem is that Floyd, the businessman, would never face Martinez, because he would lose as well. Martinez would probably stop Floyd or at least beat him into a shell. Floyd is smart and knows when to hold them and knows when to fold them, and that is why we would never see this fight and probably why we won’t see him face Pacquiao either.

So, what does Darren Barker bring to this fight to concern Martinez on Saturday night? Barker has not been put in soft of late. Most of the recent opposition he has faced has come into the ring with a winning record. The problem is that none of the names are recognizable, but then again, this is boxing, and not many names are recognizable anymore.

Barker is undefeated and younger and the hope must be that Martinez overlooks him, but that is not Sergio’s style. He has fought hard to make it to this point and will not risk what could be big paydays should any of the big names grow the courage to face him in the ring. Look for Martinez to beat Barker into submission late in the fight. Sergio is an extreme talent that keeps improving.

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