By Nicholas Samuilov, notifight.com

WBC Diamond middleweight champion Sergio Martinez is willing to strain down to 150-pounds for a possible fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2012. Allegedly, Pacquiao made a statement that he would face Martinez, but only at a catch-weight of 150, which is the same weight the Filipino star fought Antonio Margarito in 2010. Martinez (47-2-2, 26KOs) is facing undefeated Darren Barker, on the 1st October in Atlantic City. He wants to challenge to Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) in the later part of 2012.

"I am willing to go down to the 150-pounds to face Manny Pacquiao. It does not depend only on me. We will see what happens, if his team and [Top Rank CEO] Bob Arum accept [the fight]. Because it's one thing is to fight Antonio Margarito at 150, and another thing to face me at 150," said Martinez during an interview with BoxingScene.com's Carlos Irusta.

"It would be below the junior middleweight limit of 154 lbs [69.850 kg.]. 150-pounds is 68 kilos. It's an incredible effort for my body. I walk around at 78 or 79 kilos, with a maximum of 3.2% body fat. I have very little body fat and I'm very muscular.To go down to that weight can be fatal for my health. But it can be done. With enough time, I think it's possible to do. What's better than saying, 'we'll fight you anywhere you want, the date you want and the weight you want.'

"He always said 150, and I respect his position, because he is a little fighter even at 150. But it's going to play to his advantage because I'll be almost ten kilos lighter in my body. "