The only difference between Barker and Pirog is that Dmitry, whom I like, has a paper belt and for whatever reason people chose him for the regular mindless 'ducking' talk - if haters chose Barker and Martinez would be facing Pirog, he'd be ducking Barker, that's how boxing fans go nowadays. Apparently Pirog having a paper belt never convinced HBO to bring him back, and fact, HBO/other promoters have been negotiating for Maravilla in the past 2 years. 1) Martinez was chosen for Cintron by Top Rank (was it TR?), accepted by HBO, take it or leave it deal 2) Martinez was chosen and moved up for Williams by Goossen when Pavlik pulled out, HBO's blessing, take it or leave 3) Martinez was chosen for Pavlik because as a 'look good' fight' by TR, accepted by HBO, take it or leave 4) HBO pushed for Martinez-Williams II (Sergio took the short money, Williams selected weight, venue, judges, announced 2nd), take it or leave 5) Dzinziruk was co-chosen by HBO and Gary Shaw under - no kidding - the sick Bradley-Alexander deal guaranteeing Shaw DiBella-Martinez's date, Maravilla could accept the fight or walk away 6) Barker was among the names HBO allowed DiBella to negotiate with (others being Chavez Jr., Williams III, Geale) HBO never EVER planned bringing Pirog back who was supposed to be the KO victim for Jacobs' first title, therefore never was an option for Martinez and put the money down. Dmitry being with Top Rank or Golden Boy would be a different case as Schaefer still has guaranteed dates while HBO does everything now to be in Arum's favor after Pacquiao-Mosley, but Pirog does not have a major American representative, therefore - whatever people say - never was a realistic option. If it was, HBO would've pushed through with it like they did with any other unfair Martinez deal, Lou liking it or not. I always wanted to see this, but fans don't always (always???) get what they want. It's not Martinez's or DiBella's fault.
No he did not he will fight him if price is right for sure, he is just going for bigger payday against Pac or Floyd, i think he will fight Pirog, here on ESB everyone is ducking whats up with that?
Martinez should not be fighting Barker... I vote ducking for the record... BUT... I know if the money was right he would take the fight... so it really isn't ducking... moreso he believes he should get paid better rather than risking a loss... (which is exactly what is making fights impossible to make in today's boxing scene)
Ive been banging the Bute vs Martinez fight for a while , id love to see that fight , there is a handfull of fights out there for Sergio i really like , and Barker isnt one of them , i hope they can get some of the big names @154 to step up and fight him , or he jumps to 168 for any of the top 5 , they'd all be massive fights There isnt anybody that really makes headlines @160 for Martinez IMHO , even Pirog isnt really worth writing home over 1) Bute Martinez 2) Dirrell Martinez 3) Martinez Angulo / Canelo In that order
Glad to see you're still fighting the good fight. In addition to all of the reasons you've mentioned, I think two other things need to be noted here. First, Pirog's belt isn't just paper. It rightfully belongs to Martinez anyway, and he and DiBella have been saying from the moment he was stripped that they have no interest associating with the WBO again (yes even before Pirog won it against Jacobs). People will respond that it's somehow hypocritical since he hasn't taken that stance towards Chavez and the WBC, but the thing is, he and DiBella knew the WBC could strip him if he didn't fight Zbik. The WBO by contrast manufactured a rule to get the belt off of him mere days after he won it; there was no mandatory or anything like that involved. Beyond this, I don't think enough people realize HBO's boxing budget was pretty much tapped out when this fight was signed. Barker the challenger in all likelihood came much cheaper than Pirog the "champion." No one should chastize Martinez for not chasing after a belt that's rightfully his anyway, especially when he's had next to no say in his choice of opponents over the past 2-3 years.
