Sergio Martinez's trainer wants a Floyd Mayweather fight

GL: Congrats on a great victory. Did the fight go as you anticipated?

Gabriel Martinez: "Thank you for doing this interview. To be honest, I was really surprised it was over in two rounds, but I know Martinez trained hard in camp for this fight and I'm really happy it turned out the way it did."


GL: You've got my vote for trainer of the year this year. As a Spanish speaking trainer, it's usually more difficult to gain major recognition in America. Do you feel that you've been flying under the radar?

Gabriel Sarmiento: "Boxing is a universal language and it all comes down to having the best preparation and strategy. Not speaking English should not have anything to do with it, but all the praise goes to my fighter. He's disciplined and he listens. Also, if I need to go up against a great trainer like Freddie Roach, he is an American and he speaks the language, but this year I feel that we've gotten the bigger wins in the bigger fights."

GL: Yesterday Sergio made it clear that he will listen to offers as they come. He didn't really say much other than that. As his trainer, who would you like to see him fight next?

GS: "Floyd Mayweather Jr or Miguel Cotto, with Mayweather first."

GL: Did it bother you that you entered the ring with the middleweight champion of the world to fight in the blue corner and be introduced first?

GS: "It was unfortunate that we got that type of treatment. We don't know what we need to do to get that respect. Especially from all of these other fighters and commissions and things like that. But we'll keep demonstrating in the ring who the best fighter is and that's all we can do. Ultimately my fighter's goal is to become the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world."

GL: After last night, I don't think you'll be having that problem anymore.

GS: (Laughs) "I hope not. And if my fighter needs to make 154 to fight Mayweather, that would not be a problem."

GL: After three fights at middleweight, shouldn't the preference be to stay at middleweight where he seems to have blossomed?

GS: "Two days before the fight my fighter was 156 lbs, so there's no issue making 154."

GL: How soon would you like to see Sergio back in the ring?

GS: "A few months. He will be ready to fight at 154 or 160."

GL: Earlier you said Mayweather is your first choice. How do you think a fight with Martinez and Mayweather plays out?

GS: "My goal is to make things complicated for Mayweather and make this the hardest fight of his career. Sergio can be as fast as he is, and I think he will give Mayweather a very hard time."

GL: Closing thoughts for the fans?

GS: "I want to thank you for this interview."

M

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