Ross Greenburg: "We'll Stick With" Paul Williams-Sergio Martinez

In response to notions that Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez might fight opponents other than each other in a rematch on HBO, the network's President of Sports, Ross Greenburg, told FanHouse that he will stick to his goal of positiong the two warriors on Oct. 2.

In December, Williams (39-2, 27 knockouts) earned a disputed majority decision victory over Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KOs) in a non-title, middleweight (160 pounds) clash of southpaws during which both fighters were floored in the first round.

Since then, each has fought only once, and Martinez's stock has grown.

A 35-year-old, Argentinian-born fighter, Martinez dethroned WBC and WBO king, Kelly Pavlik, in April, his 12-round, unanimous decision, even as he has since been stripped of the WBO middleweight crown, as well as the WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) title he owned prior to the fight.

Williams, meanwhile, is coming off of May's disappointing, four-round junior middleweight technical decision victory over former two-time world champion Kermit Cintron.

One of the sticking points that delays a potential rematch with Martinez is the fact that Williams is pushing for a return to the welterweight (147 pounds) class, where he won two of the three world titles he has held.


Martinez issued a statement on Monday to BoxingScene.com's Rick Reeno indicating that he would entertain a bout defending his crown against interim WBO junior middleweight champion, Alfredo Angulo (19-1, 16 KOs) of Mexicali, Baja California, Mex. -- even if it meant facing Angulo at a catch weight of 155-pounds.

"If Paul Williams doesn't step up to the plate, I will fight Angulo at 154-pounds on October 2," Martinez said of Angulo, whose nickname, "Perro," means dog. "Angulo claims he will fight anyone, so we can fight for my former title at super welterweight. We've seen the dog bark, now we'll see if he can bite."

But Angulo's promoter, Gary Shaw, also handles German southpaw WBO junior middleweight king, Sergei Dzinziruk (37-0, 23 KOs) in a division tha includes Angulo, Puero Rican WBA titlist Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28 KOs), and, IBF champion Corey Spinks (37-5, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, Mo.

"[Martinez-Angulo] is a possibility if the money is right, but I'm surprised that they don't want to fight Dzinziruk. But I have two fighters that will fight anybody in the world. I know that Dzinziruk is relatively unkown, but how are you going to become known if you don't put him on," said Shaw.

"The question is why don't they match Martinez and Angulo, and then, put Dzinziruk on under that fight, so you're building the next fighter? Right now, there's a lot of money on the table for Paul Williams to fight Sergio Martinez. If that fight does not come off, either Sergei Dzinziruk or Alfredo 'Perro' Angulo is willing to step up and to fight either of those guys, and I promote both of them, sharing Dzinziruk with Artie Pellulo."

Martinez's promoter, Lou DiBella, said that he would be all for a bout between his fighter and Angulo (pictured at right), and would actually prefer it before rematching Martinez.

"I understand that HBO wants to see Sergio Martinez fight Paul Williams again. It was a great fight and a Fight of the Year candidate, and I can see why that's the fight that they want. It's their prerogative, but you know, you can't force a deal. You've seen that with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao," said DiBella.

"But Sergio has fought some very big fights lately, and I don't want to see him get penalized [for being so good,]" said DiBella. "I've heard from Gary Shaw, today, and he's willing to consider a fight with Sergio against Alfredo. Personally, I think that Martinez against Angulo is a great promotion. A young stud challenging a more established fighter is a definite crowd-pleaser of a fight."

Greenburg, nevertheless wants Williams-Martinez until further notice.

"There has been a lot of speculation and energy [on the part of HBO] put toward the rematch of Williams and Martinez," said Greenburg. "So I think that we're going to stick with that until we hear that it can't be made and then move on from there. So really, it's premature to start talking about Martinez-Angulo."