By James Slater – While it’s unclear just who he will fight, world middleweight king Sergio Gabriel Martinez is set to return to the ring on October 1st, with a bout in Providence, Rhode Island down as taking place on HBO. There are a number of possible challengers for “Maravilla,” including the winner of the upcoming Sebastan Zbik-Julio Cesar Chavez Junior fight and also Marco Antonio Rubio.
Zbik and Chavez will battle for the “regular” WBC 160-pound title, while Rubio became the mandatory contender for the WBC belt with his upset win over the highly-touted David Lemieux. Another possibility for Martinez’ next challenger is Providence’s own Peter Manfredo Junior.. Promoter Lou DiBella has spoken in the past of wanting to match the former “Contender” with Martinez, and Boxrec have both Martinez and Manfredo Jr down as fighting on the October 1st card; which will take place at The Dunkin Donuts Centre in Providence – this arena being the venue that hosted a number of previous Manfredo fights. Perhaps the two will be matched together on Oct. 1st?
36-year-old Martinez, 47-2-2(26) is coming off impressive stoppage wins over Paul Williams and, last time out, Serhiy Dzinziruk. Wanting very much to fight the best and become the absolute best, Pound-for-Pound-wise, the classy southpaw will have to wait a little longer before he lands his next mega-fight. Possibly having a real problem getting the names he wants to face to agree to fight him – Martinez has called out the likes of Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Junior – Martinez could also have a problem getting himself motivated for fights seen as lesser challenges.
The Zbik-Chavez affair looks close to a 50-50 fight, but due to his name value, a Chavez challenge of Martinez would possibly be the more attractive-looking fight for the fans. In truth, neither Zbik nor Chavez would be given much of a chance of upsetting Martinez; and neither would the gutsy Manfredo if he landed the dream fight. But Martinez has to remain active as he awaits his next super-fight opponent.
Paul Williams, the man the Argentine took out in such devastating fashion last November, has spoken of wanting a third go with the middleweight ruler. “The Punisher” is set to return to action against a TBA on July 9th, also on HBO. If Martinez does find himself without a marquee dance partner after his October defence, maybe he will agree to hook up with the tall southpaw who out-pointed him in that December, 2009 thriller?
Few experts and fans would give Williams a shot at winning the rubber-match, but it doesn’t mean it won’t happen. And we’d all watch Martinez-Williams III, wouldn’t we?