Sergio Martinez Stripped of WBO Belt
Courtesy of Fanhouse.com
Argentinian-born southpaw Sergio Martinez, who dethroned WBO and WBC middleweight (160 pounds) champion, Kelly Pavlik last month, has been stripped of the WBO belt by the organization, according to his interpreter, Cicilio Flores.
The news was first reported by Rick Reeno of BoxingScene.com
A 35-year-old resident of California, by way of Spain, Martinez (45-2-2, 24 knockouts) was informed that the WBO’s ruling was rendered because he has yet to make a final decision as to whether or not he plans to stay at middleweight.
Martinez also owns the WBC crown as a junior middleweight (154 pounds), and has been notified that he has 10 days to appeal the ruling.
“I’m very surprised by the decision that was made by the WBO. I wish that I had more time to make a decision,” said Martinez, through a statement. “I’m very grateful that I was able to win the title and that I was recognized by the WBO. I would rather lose the title in the ring, and not like this. It has been an honor to be their champion.”
In dropping Pavlik to 36-2, with 32 knockouts, Martinez made himself a potential candidate for lucrative bouts against unbeaten Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) should a bout not happen for Mayweather against WBO welterweight (147 pounds) titlist, Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs).
Other potential options for Martinez includes bouts opposite junior middleweight southpaw Paul Williams (38-1, 27 KOs), to whom he lost a disputed, 12-round decision in December, or former world champion, Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs), who knocked out Martinez in the seventh round in February of 2000.
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