By Chris LaBate
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is not interested in moving up to a higher weight division. The WBC Diamond champion at middleweight, Sergio Martinez, has been chasing a possible fight with Pacquiao. During last month's pre-fight promotion for his title defense against Darren Barker, Martinez said he was willing to "risk his health" by dropping all the way down to 150-pounds to fight Pacquiao.
"I must go down to 150 and take a risk with my health. I want to prove that pound for pound I'm the best boxer. Now there is no excuse," Martinez said.
However, a fight with Pacquiao will require a few more pounds. If Martinez wants to get in the ring with Pacquiao, he will have to risk a lot more than his health by shaving off enough weight to make the welterweight limit of 147-pounds. Martinez, once a 147-pounder, has not made the welterweight limit since October of 2001.
"If Sergio Martinez can get to 147 pounds, why not? We can negotiate a weight," Pacquiao told the Los Angeles Times.