• Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather Jnr

Mayweather looks past Pacquiao to Martinez date

ESPN staff
December 18, 2011
Sergio Martinez beat Darren Barker earlier this year © PA Photos
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WBC Diamond middleweight champion Sergio Martinez is being earmarked for a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jnr if no deal is agreed between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are believed to be in negotiations over a May clash - but the talks are shrouded in mystery, and there is no guarantee the bout will happen given the bad blood between the fighters and their respective promoters.

Lou DiBella, who looks after Martinez, claims that his man has been sounded out as a possible opponent for Mayweather if the discussions with Pacquiao collapse.

"There was a very brief conversation with Mayweather's representatives where it became clear that in the eventuality that it's clear there won't be a Pacquiao fight, and I don't think they've hit that point yet, that they would consider Sergio," DiBella told boxingscene.com.

That could spell bad news for Britain's Matthew Macklin, who has been tipped to fight Martinez in early 2012.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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