Sergio Martinez vs Darren Barker in October.

I agree DiBella is working the Chavez angle, but I don't agree at all that Barker has even an near equal resume of Pirog. How do you think Barker is more relevant than Pirog as an opponent? Don't just look at Pirog's last fight, or even his sensational fight with Jaccobs (something Barker has none of). Pirog's beat up some tough guys like Toygonbayev, Jantuah, Kodzoev, and Ajetovic. Those might not sound like big names, but those guys are solid midlevel mw's, not the cotton candy alot of guys get brought up on. Barker's biggest wins are a fight he almost lost too Belghechem and Spada (who lost twice to Zbik and once to Mahir Oral).

As far the beef with the WBO, the WBC stripped Martinez too, yet Martinez is all about fighting Chavez because it's an easy money fight. I understand why their doing this. If I was Lou I'd follow the same course if I believed Pirog could beat Martinez. Just don't shine it up for something that it's not.

 

But the WBO stripped him in a far more unjustifiable manner. There's a difference between losing the belt as a result of the direct consequences of one's decisions (choosing to take the HBO money and not fighting Zbik) and losing it within months of winning it because of an obscure rule that the commission invoked just because they wanted it on a prospect. DiBella's reaction to the WBO has been completely consistent; he was cursing about them long before the big, bad Pirog won the fight. Beyond that, however, wanting Chavez doesn't even have to be framed as an easy money fight; it's one of the only fights available at middleweight period. Nothing looks hypocritical or fearful in wanting to go after the guy who actually provides some reward.

I agree Pirog is probably a better fighter than Barker, but I don't think he's done anywhere near enough to be labeled as the only obvious fight for Martinez, nor do I think it makes sense to describe DiBella and Martinez as fearful of him.

 

I think it's hypocritical to say Pirog is an unproven no-name and that's a big reason they won't fight him, and then go out and fight Dzinziruk and Barker.
Yeah Lou was understandably upset for his fighter being stripped without a chance, but I bet if Jacobs had won that fight his tune would be different today? Hell, I wonder if Sergio's country man had upset Pirog if they'd taken that fight?

And if Lou and Sergio are going to hold grudges then shouldn't they be a little peeved that there was no HBO money available for Martinez to keep his title against Zbik but there was for Chavez. The WBC likes it's prosepects even more than the WBO, they gave ww Alvarez the 154lb title just the same. But that's just semantics.

My only beef is that they'll fight Dzinziruk and Barker (or Geale - the IBF is the worst at title stripping, when Lou had Taylor, the IBF stripped him right after he beat Hopkins), but shut out the idea of Pirog. If Pirog was a money fight Lou would've dropped the whole WBO thing long ago. He's a good business man and looking to make his fighter the most money, which also means keeping him away from danger (atleast til there's more profit to it).

Oh yeah, about Golovin. I'm actually pretty sure he is allowed to fight in the US. Aside from training in the US, he's tried to make a Manfredo fight for some time. I think they put his purse in escrow (like Kessler did after he left Palle(sp?)). They were trying to setup a fight with Rubio for last November but he couldn't get a work visa in time and he fought in Khazakistan instead. He was going to fight N'Jikam in Germany, but N'Jikam turned down the offer of 100,000 euro.

 

If there wasn't meaningful fight in there, why doesn't go up north? why keep fighting bums and claiming being best. why calling out midgets?

 

The reason Dibella and Martinez are persuing a Chavez fight is simply because of money, not because of the belt. If you were Martinez, would your rather fight Pirog or Chavez? Taking into consideration that a Chavez fight seems to be an easier fight for you and a fight that will leave you ALOT more money in your pocket and beating a "known" oppoenent to boost your "resume".

Don't get me wrong, I would love a Pirog/Martinez fight too but seeing it from Sergio's point of view, he is after the money. And so far the only ones are Mayweather, Cotto, Pac and just below them is Chavez Jr. who now became a "champion", that can offer him a retirement bonus. Sure, Pirog, Sturm, GGG would all be good fights but Sturm won't fight outside of Germany and GGG has contractual problems to solve, which only leaves Pirog available. I don't like Sergio's fight with this Barker guy but seems like no else is available. Hope if after this fight we finally get Pirog in there with Martinez because we all know that Arum will put Chavez in with Martinez. And ON TOP OF ALL HBO WILL HAVE TO APROVE A MARTINEZ/PIROG FIGHT SINCE THEY WILL BE THE ONES PAYING.

 

I doubt they'd make a Maciel fight unless they just did it off-air in Argentina like Maidana-Corley. And the Jacobs case I think would depend on whether he would become a name in the division.

They are. DiBella complains about them at length in this article

I'm just not sure I agree about how dangerous Pirog is/how much they're avoiding him. Yes, he's probably better than Barker, but this is the first case where they've purposefully gone with someone else. Dzinziruk was a forced opponent, and even though he was a junior middle, he still had a more accomplished career than Pirog and was arguably the best in his division. And with the Barker fight, I think there is a rationale to it insofar as they're trying to cut off Chavez's options. He'll likely have to fight another DiBella fighter now and won't have Barker for another optional defense if Martinez beats him. I'd also note that Martinez's regular trainer probably isn't going to be available, and while this doesn't completely justify a soft touch, it makes it more understandable.

It's just really hard for me to categorize this as a duck when Pirog disappeared off the face of the earth for a long time and brings no reward whatsoever. The obvious response to this is "Well then why does Martinez think he deserves a shot at Chavez then when he's not a huge draw either." But I don't think the two cases are that similar: Martinez is still a moderate draw and actually recognized as one of the best fighters in the world. Pirog unfortunately brings no real money to the table and still largely has a reputation as a prospect.

You might be right, but I was under the impression that he wasn't allowed to fight in the US or Germany while the Universum dispute was going on. This was from the recent Ring article on him:

It sounds like he might get a push from HBO though, so hopefully he's able to start taking on some meaningful fights (especially if N'Dam dunks him once again).

 

yeah, pirog should be a whole lot better option than barker, why does dibella wants no part of him?

 

Great article!

That's exactly what I've been saying and it's ****ing annoying to see our 'fans' coming back and calling Martinez cherry picker atsch low risk taker atsch fighting smaller men atsch looking for money atsch etc. If that's what our fans think I'm leaving. The way Martinez has been treated by politics in his entire career including after named fighter of the year and the way our fans just don't care is very sad. Where will the sport go with this attitude? Criticizing everyone but when we need to stand behind a fighter as one, we still rip that good guy. Lose lose for boxing.

Regarding he $2M I remembered a lot less maybe from Rafael chat (as Dzinziruk had a ridiculously high guaranteed minimum) but it doesn't matter, the fact is he made a lot more than Chavez and sold more tickets than Chavez and Arum comes telling DiBella that Sergio is not a draw? atsch It's just madness.

One year after beating the **** out of Pavlik and the WBC MW belt is back in Top Rank's possesson with Sergio kicked out of the way. The WBC never forced Zbik on Pavlik but when HBO turned the German down they INSTANTLY stripped Sergio, and then what do you know, Arum goes to HBO and they suddenly accept Zbik. :huh HBO also took Martinez' Summer date and gave it to the guy he KTFO (Williams vs. Lara). A few months back HBO stepped up and said no to Cotto-Mayorga because it's a horrible fight, they pushed through with good fights such as Martinez-Williams II, Bradley-Alexander and Khan-Maidana. Now they are back in the kissing-top-promoters-ass business doing the same damage that kills boxing. Top Rank, WBC too. When they unite their powers, P4P the best risk taker on the planet has no chance despite his recent popularity. As DiBella said, for their loyalty, they get treated like a piece of **** both by the organization and network they stood by, and after the huge and exciting run vs top fighters, apparently by the fans too.

This is professional boxing in 2011.

 

But he beat your boy pavlik didn't he. *****.

 

bad fight

 

exactly, he doesn't want to move up out of his comfort zone one weightclass, but expects the 2 cash cows to move up TWO weight classes for him. They are the draws. If you want them, you have to chase them. It isn't the other way around. They dictate the terms. If he wants them, he should starve himself to 147

 

LOL yeah right.

I don't buy that all the decent MWs, most of whom have no profile, would turn down the payday to face Martinez. I also don't see the need for Martinez to face a weak opponent when he dominated his last 3 fights...oh poor him for having had to face good fighters. If he wants a tune up then let him go on ESPN.

 

Well I think we've beaten that into the ground as much as possible. I will say that I do agree with Arum to a certain extent that Martinez is not being marketed as well as possilble. Given his style and looks he should be as much a ppv canidate as any fighter. I don't know if a Barker fight really helps build his image. I think they should've been willing to take short money to make the Angulo fight at 155lbs happen. I think he'd blow out Angulo and comes out even bigger than he was for beating Pavlik and Williams. Then again, Angulo may be completely unwilling to fight Martinez.

If Manfredo gets signed for Chavez before Barker does with Martinez, I wonder if Lou would drop Barker and quick switch to Rubio? I think Marco will be mandatory after Chavez's one fight?

 

there must be nobody for martinez to fight. barker i'm sure will give his best effort but he is totally outclassed.

 

Kelly was up after 8 rounds. Cotto and Mayweather ain't happening. I doubt Chavez too.