Martinez beats Macklin, wants Chavez Jr. next

Sergio Martinez is still waiting for that big-name opponent. But did that desire almost cost him in his bout against Matthew Macklin at the Theater at MSG on Saturday night?

Martinez emerged victorious, but needed 11 rounds to dispatch Macklin. In fact, Martinez knocked him down twice in the 11th. Macklin’s corner threw in the towel.

With Macklin out of the way, where does Martinez go next? He has been calling out the best fighters in the sport, including Floyd Mayweather. That isn’t likely to happen anytime soon, but there are several opponents looming.

The Neutral Corner suggests that Martinez seeks out James Kirkland. That fight probably won’t happen, but we can always dream.

Martinez promoter, Lou DiBella wants to see his prize fighter take on Julio Ceasar Chavez Jr. “He wants Chavez, because he feels [the WBC] promised him Chavez,” DiBella said of Martinez. “They took his belt away. He won it in the ring, they took it outside of the ring and he wants it back.”

Martinez was the 154-pound WBC champion, but was stripped when he moved up to 160 pounds.

“I don’t know that he’s going to get [his belt],” said DiBella. “I think its all smoke and b--- ----. Now [Chavez] is fighting Andy Murray…If [the WBC] wants to do the right thing, make Chavez fight Martinez.”

DiBella also chided Chavez for not moving up to 168 pounds to take on either Andre Ward or Lucian Bute. Ward is the WBC and WBA 168-pound champ, while Bute has the IBF super middleweight title.

Martinez wants Chavez, but he will be patient.

“I’ll keep waiting because I’m a young man,” said Martinez. “I’m not as old as they think.”