Sergio Martinez willing to consider Lucian Bute but doubts Manny Pacquiao fight
Sergio Martinez would be willing to entertain a fight with Lucian Bute at 168-pounds, boxingscene.com reports.
The popular website contacted Martinez’s agent, Sampson Lewkowicz, for information regarding Martinez’s upcoming direction after his November 20 fight with Paul Williams. Lewkowicz indicated that if Martinez wins he would consider moving up to super middleweight
to account for a lack of competition in his own middleweight division.
In particular Lewkowicz spoke of IBF super middleweight king Lucian Bute, saying: "A fight with Bute is something we would consider. Beyond Paul Williams, there are very few opportunities for Martinez at 154 and 160. If we don't find an opponent who is acceptable
to the television network, then a big fight at 168 with someone like Bute is an option."
Arranging the fight may be difficult due to respective network deals. Bute recently signed an exclusive three-fight deal with Showtime, while Martinez’s last four fights have been on HBO. As a match with Bute couldn’t be on HBO until he fights three more
times, it would have to entail Martinez pushing to Showtime.
When Martinez meets Williams in mid-November it will be his fifth successive appearance on the network. Martinez is not contractually bound to the network, but Lewkowicz concedes Martinez is loyal to their demands. At the same time, Martinez’s agent said
they were perfectly "willing to listen" to an offer from Bute.
In light of Manny Pacquiao’s dominant weekend performance against Antonio Margarito, there have been those willing to entertain a potential contest between him and Martinez. Lewkowicz shot down the possibility quickly.
"People are always asking Martinez about a fight with Manny Pacquiao," he said. "People always talk about it, but this is a fantasy fight that will never happen - because Martinez will never fight below 154, or above 168. I believe Pacquiao will return to
147-pounds. Pacquiao is a great fighter, but I don't think he will fight someone like Martinez at 154."
Tags: