Currently ranked as the third best boxer in the world right now, Sergio Martinez might just end up having some pretty big fights later on this year. Martinez is currently scheduled to face the winner of the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Andy Lee June 16 showdown – as long as both parties can agree to terms, including Olympic style drug testing – and he might just end up getting a shot at WBC welterweight champion, Floyd Mayweather, later on in the year.

“What a tough question. Sincerely I am only thinking of Chavez now but Mayweather is the toughest fight out there,” Martinez said when asked about a potential fight against Mayweather. “I really want the challenge. Mayweather is the toughest fight I can have. I want to fight other champs too but no one wants to fight me. … The perfect dream scenario for me is to fight Chavez in September and then Mayweather after.”

Martinez didn’t exactly put on the most impressive performance of his career in his last outing against Matthew Macklin. But he did eventually find a way to get the job done, stopping Macklin at the end of the 11^th round. He certainly matches up nicely with Chavez, and I personally hope the fight between the two takes place as planned.

However, Chavez has been accused of ducking Martinez in the past, and it’s pretty hard to tell if he really wants the fight. His decision to balk at Martinez’ request for OSDT certainly raised a few brows, and he just might end up using that as an excuse to avoid the fight.

Like many boxing fans, Martinez is keeping his fingers crossed, which is understandable given the history between the two.

“Until I see Julio Cesar Chavez in the ring with the gloves on and the bell sounds I won’t believe it,” Martinez added.

While we probably won’t get to see a Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao mega-fight this year, 2012 is still on course to have some very entertaining boxing matches. Once again, it comes down to fighters being willing to step up to the plate and challenge themselves with tough fights against dangerous opponents.

More content:

Carl Froch Proves Critics Wrong Against Lucian Bute

Where’s Leonard Ellerbe? Is Floyd Mayweather’s Right Hand Man On The Chopping Block?

UFC Leaning Towards Cain Velasquez Vs Junior Dos Santos II

At 40 years old, Shane Mosley’s days in the sport of boxing are clearly numbered, but the veteran boxer does feel he has enough left in the tank to hand undefeated Saul Alvarez his first taste of defeat.

“The [common thought process] is that a boxer loses his skills with time, but it’s not the case with me,” Mosley said in a recent interview. “My experience, skills and my knowledge can’t be taken away from me. I’ve fought with several of the best boxers in the world including Oscar de la Hoya and Antonio Margarito. I know that I’m still the same fighter that I was in all of those great fights; my speed and power…I’m stronger than ever. I know what I need to do to win.”

Alvarez will be a huge favorite going into his May 5 bout against Mosley, but I won’t completely count out the old soldier. After all, Mosley has already faced the very best boxers on the planet, losing only to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in the last four years. Mosley even had his moments against the sports’ pound-for-pound king, stunning Mayweather with a big right hook in the second round of their 2010 encounter.

However, Mosley will have his work cut out for him, considering the impressive 39-0-1 record Alvarez has already put together at the tender age of 21. Alvarez has also proven his ability to finish fights over the years (29 of his 39 wins coming via KO), stopping his last three opponents.

Alvarez will also have extra motivation heading into his showdown against Mosley, since there is a pretty good chance he’ll get a shot at Mayweather if he walks away victorious on May 5.

If Mosley isn’t able to get past Alvarez in Las Vegas, retirement will probably be his best option. After all, he has already secured a spot as one of the top boxers of his era. And he really doesn’t have anything else to prove inside the ring.

More content:

Saul Alvarez And Paul Williams Working On September Bout

Chael Sonnen On Anderson Silva: “I Don’t Want His Autograph, I Want To Spit On Him”

Timothy Bradley On Upcoming Bout Against Manny Pacquiao: “I’m Physically Ready And I’m Mentally Ready”

WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather might have a lot of respect for Miguel Cotto, but he won’t have any problems putting all that aside when the two meet inside the boxing ring. Mayweather is scheduled to face Cotto on May 5, and he plans to put on another masterful performance when the two meet inside the ring.

“What is a champion? Win, lose or draw, a guy performing to his best,” Mayweather said in a recent HBO profile. “Appreciating everything that he has received, dedication, hard work, belief, great heart, and never forgetting the operating tool that helped him become champ. … Am I still motivated by the money? At first I thought it was the money. Of course I do want to make a lot of money in the sport. But, without money I’m still going to be happy. Money don’t make me, I make money.”

Mayweather’s “Money-May” alter ego has certainly made him the most vilified athlete in the world right now, with many so-called boxing fans letting their emotions get the best of them. However, whenever Mayweather talks about his passion for boxing, it’s pretty hard not to respect his work ethic and dedication towards his craft.

Mayweather will have his hands full against Cotto, but as always, smart money will be on the pound-for-pound king. With a win against Cotto, boxing fans will once again hope for a mega-fight against Manny Pacquiao, but the chances of that bout ever materializing are pretty slim.

The casual boxing fan might not be willing to acknowledge Mayweather’s greatness, but there is no question he’s one of the best fighters to ever step inside the ring. Students of the sweet science will study Mayweather’s fights for decades, and the history books will eventually give him his due. After all, Muhammad Ali was one of the most vilified athletes of his time, yet, he’s now recognized worldwide as the greatest of all time.

More content:

Ellenberger, Koscheck Face Off With Career Implications

UFC 184 Predictions

UFC Fight Night 61: Mir Bounces Back With First-Round Knockout Over Silva

Juan Manuel Marquez put on an impressive performance in his last outing against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, frustrating the Filipino congressman with his counter-punching. Unfortunately for Marquez, the judges didn’t give him a fair shake, awarding Pacquiao with the majority decision.

The controversial decision against Pacquiao initially prompted Marquez to consider retirement, but he soon had a change of heart. Marquez is currently scheduled to face Sergey Fedchenko on April 14, and he plans to put on another solid performance.

“Fedchenko looks like a respectable opponent,” Marquez said. “One thing I do not do [is come into a fight overconfident]. You know, confidence can kill a man. I abused [confidence] in the first fight against Manny Pacquiao. I went out to attack him in the first round, and I was connecting well – but then suddenly he sent me to the canvas. And there wasn’t just a [single knockdown], but three in one round. From the second round on, I decided to box and [he couldn’t hit me anymore]. And I think I won the fight on points, but I was robbed with a draw.”

Fedchenko is definitely a capable boxer, but he’ll be in for a serious step up in competition when he faces Marquez on Saturday. He will have momentum on his side though, as he’s currently on seven fight winning streak.

At 38 years old, Marquez might be slowing down a bit, but his experience should be more than enough to get him safely past Fedchenko. With a win over Fedchenko, Marquez hopes he’ll be able to secure a fourth fight against Pacquiao, as he still has a score to settle with the WBO welterweight champ.

I normally wouldn’t be up for a fourth fight between two fighters, but the Marquez-Pacquiao saga deserves just that. Pacquiao might have walked away with the win in two of their previous bouts, but many (myself included) still feel Marquez was the rightful victor in all three fights. Without a doubt, a fourth fight between the two would be entertaining, and it would be an easy sell for any promoter.

More content:

UFC 139 Results

Melvin Guillard Vs. Jim Miller Set For UFC On FX 1

Anderson Silva Wants To Fight Chael Sonnen In Brazil

WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is currently scheduled to defend his title against Andy Lee on June 16. But many boxing fans are more interested in a potential fight against Sergio Martinez on Sept. 15.

As part of the conditions for the fight, Martinez wants both fighters to undergo random drug tests leading up to the bout, but Chavez doesn’t particularly like the idea. Chavez feels Martinez questioned his integrity as a boxer with the request, and he fired back during a recent interview with Boxingscene.com.

“Sergio is not in a position to demand these tests,” Chavez said. “That’s a decision for the Commission of Nevada and World Boxing Council. I am a clean and honest boxer. I prepare very hard for each fight and I do not ingest banned substances. Sergio Martinez cannot impose the terms. He wants to fight me just to make money and he hangs on my name. … I will have a tough opponent in Lee. I must prepare to reach a level of 100% for this fight, and then I’ll be ready by September 15th for my fight against Sergio Martinez. And I will shut his mouth once and for all,”

This isn’t the first time a boxer has requested Olympic-style drug testing. And I’m certainly shocked by Chavez’ comments. WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao tried a similar tactic when Floyd Mayweather requested random drug tests during negotiations, and it quickly backfired on the Filipino congressman.

Given the suspicious circumstances surrounding Chavez’ last fight against Marco Antonio Rubio (WBC officials failed to test him after the bout), one would think he would jump on an opportunity like this simply to clear his name.

In a sport where fighters are expected to compete fairly, refusing to undergo OSDT is simply inexcusable. It’s not as if the tests detract from a fighter’s performance in any way. As far as I’m concerned, a clean fighter would never have any problems with random drug tests. And Chavez didn’t win any new fans with his comments.

More content:

Biggest Winners And Losers From UFC Fight Night 36

UFC On Fox 16 Predictions

UFC Fight Night 72 Predictions