Dzinziruk hopes to make statement against Martinez (AP)

NEW YORK (AP)—Sergiy Dzinziruk hopes to follow in the footsteps of Sergio
Martinez by defeating, well, Sergio Martinez.

The junior middleweight champion from the Ukraine faces Argentina’s Martinez
on March 12 from the MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in
Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Dzinziruk is not well known in the United States, but neither was Martinez
when he burst onto the scene a couple years ago. He also hasn’t fought at
middleweight, much like Martinez had rarely touched 160 pounds (72.6 kilograms)
before beating Kelly Pavlik for the title last year.

“It’s a lifetime opportunity for me,” Dzinziruk said this week. “Yes, I’m
a 154-pounder, but I’m going to fight at 160 and let’s see what happens. I feel
very confident with this weight.”

Evidently, Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs) does as well.

The WBC titleholder from Argentina is coming off a banner two-fight swing at
middleweight that earned him Fighter of the Year honors from most publications.
He followed his bloody pounding of Pavlik by defending his title against Paul
Williams last November, a stunning one-punch knockout that also earned him
“Knockout of the Year” honors from most critics.

Those victories, along with his movie star-like looks and natural charisma,
have finally endeared him to the American fight fan. It only took about 40
fights to get there.

“Sergiy isn’t well known here but he is the top ’54 pounder,” promoter Lou
DiBella said. “It’s a terribly difficult fight for Sergio, but it’s what he
wants. HBO has a very good fight. I’m worried, but I have faith in my champion
who understands the challenge.”

It was facing some of the most dangerous boxers in the world that finally
allowed Martinez to gain some acclaim, and it took moving up in weight to get a
big-money fight against Pavlik.

Now, Dzinziruk is seeking out one of the most dangerous fighters in the
world in Martinez, and he too will be moving up a division to challenge for the
title. Dzinziruk doesn’t seem concerned about the weight, though, as much as the
man who’ll be standing across from him.

“We have watched (tapes) in the past and more recently of Sergio’s fights.
He is a great fighter and a great champion, but there’s nothing special,”
Dzinziruk said. “He is just another fighter in front of me and I hope to win.”

Dzinziruk (37-0, 23 KOs) built a flashy record fighting primarily in Poland,
Germany and the Ukraine, but realized he would have to fight in the U.S. to make
big money. So after winning the WBO 154-pound title from Daniel Santos in 2005
and defending it five times in Europe, he finally crossed over the Atlantic last
year and defended it against Daniel Dawson.

The 35-year-old Dzinziruk dominated the fight, scoring a 10th-round knockout
at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. The victory was so emphatic that it
won Dzinziruk numerous fans but also scared away a lot of potential opponents.

He hasn’t fought since that night last May.

“He’s never lost. He doesn’t know how to lose. And it’s not like he’s been
protected, he’s 7-0 in world title fights,” said Josh Roy of Banner Promotions,
Dzinziruk’s co-promoter. “He has made a concerted effort to come here (to the
United States).”

And he’s hoping that another victory, this time over Martinez, will be
enough to finally raise his profile to the point that he believes he deserves.

“Fighting is my life, my world. All I know is how to box,” Dzinziruk said.
“I’m healthy, I love fighting and want to win a few more titles.”