Matthew Macklin is expecting a shot at Sergio Martinez early next year. The European super-middleweight champion says talks are underway to get a crack at the WBC boss, who is fresh from a stunning second-round knockout of Paul Williams last month. First Macklin has to defend his own title against Spain's Ruben Varon in the Liverpool leg of Gr8 Britain versus The World, live on Sky Box Office HD on December 11. The 28-year-old will not be taking the challenge lightly, but admits that Martinez is really the one he wants. "Frank Warren's working hard, he's speaking to Lou DiBella at the moment about a fight with Sergio Martinez early next year," he told Ringside. "And he was in discussions with the Sauerlands about a fight with Sebastian Sylvester. "Martinez is very awkward. He has a lot of lateral movement, he comes in from funny angles and he's a really top fighter. But I'll go in with any of them - I don't care." Macklin burst onto the world stage with a sensational first-round knockout of Amin Asikainen in September last year. That won him the European belt he defends against Varon but, he believes, has also warned off the four recognised belt holders in the middleweight division. "I think that was the best thing and worst thing that happened to me," he said. Evasive "It put me where I am on the world scene and in the top five but it's also putting off the world champions that are proving evasive in nailing down for a world-title shot." Varon though believes it will be him pushing for world honours after the Liverpool showdown. The Spaniard says Macklin is as likely to become King of England as he is win a world title, but the man himself is treating his next opponent with ample respect. "He lost on points against Felix Sturm, he got well-beaten but was competitive throughout," he said. "He got a win against Lucas Konecny who knocked out Matthew Hall on the Birmingham show for the European light-middleweight title. "Varon's a good fighter, he's well-schooled; he probably lacks a bit of firepower but technically he has a very nice rhythm and good body punches. It's not an easy fight by any means. "But I can't wait. It's good to get busy. My last fight was in September and I hadn't fought for nine months before that, so it's been good to get back in the gym preparing." http://www.skysports.com/gr8britain/story/0,29150,20063_6550577,00.html
When did Macklin duck Pirog? I thought Pirog opted out of the EBU title fight against Macklin so he could fight Jacobs.
No he dropped the title before Pirog got offerd the fight. Also Peters told Pirog he wont fight Pirog outside the Uk