Sergio Martinez: "I Never Want an Easy Fight...I Want to Fight the Best"

In a conference call on Wednesday, Ring World Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez and promoter Lou Dibella spoke about the upcoming bout with Serhiy Dzinziruk. The fight will take place March 12 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut and will be broadcast on HBO.

“It’s a shame the people don’t know the quality of this champion,” Martinez said. “The best [opponent] at this moment is Dzinziruk."

Martinez (46-2-2) is coming off 2010's "Knockout of the Year" versus Paul Williams last November. Some people called it a lucky punch, but Martinez knows it was anything but that.

“It definitely was not a lucky punch,” said the Argentinian born fighter. "Anybody who has seen the tape—it’s not too long—see me throwing the same punch six times and landing five and then I knock him out. It was a premeditated punch, not lucky.”

He will be looking to take that momentum that launched him into top five "pound-for-pound" status with a knockout over the undefeated Dzinziruk (37-0).

Martinez' promoter Lou Dibella credits the fighter's desire to fight whoever is put in front of him.

“In a lot of ways, this is a no-win fight," said Dibella. "[Dzinziruk] is the best fighter in the world that no one knows."

"[Dzinziruk] is a very difficult guy to fight because of his defensive style, because of his great jab, his movement. He is just a very skilled guy that is really unknown in this country.”

In response to Dzinziruk labeling his opponent as nothing special, Martinez promises a surprise and knockout.

“I’m surprised that he talked like that, but he will find out March 12 that he is wrong."

“I predict a knockout.”

If Martinez successfully defends his title, a move up to super middleweight is still in question. It would also require him to vacate the title, something he was forced to do with the super middleweight belt he once held.

“I’m not thinking to go up to 168 because I believe that I am small physically for 168. I plan to stick at 160 for the rest of the year.”

“I believe that I gave up the title because I have a promise to fight my mandatory with Dziniruik. However, I’m very proud and honored to fight for the diamond belt that I believe is the most beautiful belt I have ever seen.”

A potential bout with WBO super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto may be in negotiations, something Martinez is interested in pursuing.

"It will be very good for Cotto, for me and for the fans, so maybe it could happen in 2011."

Whatever the 36-year-old decides to do, he just wants to fight as often as possible and put on the best performances for the fans.

“I’m very happy and content that finally I got recognition worldwide for my work,” said Martinez.

“I never want an easy fight. I want to fight the best.”