DiBella: Macklin Martinez is ‘absolutely cert’

By Jonny Stapleton
Lou DiBella has given the strongest indication yet that Matthew Macklin will get his shot at the greatest middleweight in the world claiming earlier in the week he is ‘absolutely certain’ the Irish middleweight will fight Segio Martinez.

A Macklin/Martinez March 17 Madison Square Garden WBC World Diamond title fight has been rumoured for months. Indeed leaks from both camps suggested a fight deal would be signed before the year was out.

However, DiBella, who promotes both middleweights as well as Andy Lee, seemed to throw a spanner in the works when earlier in the week he revealed he had opened preliminary talks with Floyd Mayweather. While the WBC’s decision to mandate Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez Junior didn’t help either.

But Any worries ‘Mack The Knife’ had have been eased, however as DiBella revealed the Irish middleweight will get the biggest fight of his career on St Patrick’s Day and all but backed him to win.

“It’s a natural fight and one I’m absolutely certain will get the go-ahead,” DiBella explained.

“Martinez’s people are keen for it to happen and so am I and so, more importantly, is Matthew. I really believe in him and I believe he will be the world middleweight champion. Martinez is a great fighter, but small for a middleweight while Matthew is much bigger. Matthew is stronger whereas Sergio would have the edge in speed which is why it is a compelling fight,” the New York promoter added before explaining the Mayweather situation.

“There was a very brief conversation with Mayweather’s representatives where it became clear that there won’t be a Pacquiao fight. I don’t think they’ve hit the point where they would consider Sergio either.”

DiBella’ comments prove not only good news for Macklin but for a number of Irish fighters. Andy Lee will be chief support on an Irish Paddy’s Card and will almost certainly fight the main event winner. While names such as Carl Frampton, Eammon O’Kane and even Tyson Fury could fill out the under card.