Last week, Sergio Martinez held a press conference in his native Argentina, airing his grievances on a number of topics including the WBC and HBO, along with his frustration toward Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Boxing Insider caught up with the middleweight champ this week for an exclusive interview, continuing the discussion many American fans may have missed out on.
Check it out!
Sergio, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for Boxing Insider. First off, what are your thoughts now after a few days since your press conference where you stated your displeasure with the WBC, HBO, and Chavez?
?Well, they say the day after the fight is always the hardest. It is true that it hasn?t been an easy decision, but after thinking about it with my team, I think that [this] step forward is the right decision, and I hope fans will consider it as positive. Nothing has been easy in my career. Things were complicated in Argentina?and later, in Spain too. In the USA things weren?t going to be different. I am determined to show that I can be the best pound for pound, and having a part of the industry against me will make my way harder, but I know I can do it.?
It?s widely believed that you will be fighting Matthew Macklin in March. Is this true? Will it be on Showtime instead of HBO?
?Yes, I announced it in the press conference and now I can confirm it again. It is 100% official that on March 17th I will fight against Matthew Macklin at Madison Square Garden in New York, which is like a dream come true for me, because I think it is the most magical place where somebody can fight. Regarding Macklin, everybody knows that he deserved the victory over Sturm. So fans can consider that after the fight, there will be a unified champion. Both of us are champions without crown. I am not sure if the fight will be on HBO or another channel. I do think that HBO hasn?t treated me in the right way, but it is Lou [DiBella] who has to talk with them.?
What are your thoughts on Rubio vs. Chavez? I know you said before you respected Rubio?and I know you do not respect Chavez?are you at least happy for Marco Antonio Rubio, who like yourself does not get preferred treatment from people like Top Rank and HBO?
