Middleweight champ Sergio Martinez trains in Oxnard, Calif., and spends a lot of time in the United States. But his home country of Argentina is never far from his mind, which is why he is pitching in to help with relief efforts following terrible recent rainstorms and flooding in La Plata, a city of about 800,000 that serves as the capital of the province of Buenos Aires.
Martinez (50-2-2, 28 KOs) hasn't fought in Argentina since 2002, but after his big win against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in September, he insisted that his next defense take place at home, which is why he will return there to defend the world title against England's Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11 KOs) on April 27 (HBO) at the 50,000-seat Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires.
To assist in the aftermath of the flooding, Martinez said he and fight organizers will donate $100,000.
"I want to send my deepest condolences and all of my sympathy to the people of Buenos Aires. What has happened there is terrible," Martinez said. "Along with the organizers of my fight, we have decided to donate $100,000 to Caritas La Plata to help assist the families that were affected by this tragedy. Do not stand in front of your TV watching and regretting what has happened. Stand up and donate what you can."
Thousands of people had to be evacuated from their homes when the area was struck by the surprise storms and flooding. According to news reports, approximately 16 inches of rain fell in La Plata in the course of two hours last Tuesday night. More than 3,000 people had to leave their homes, and 80,000 were left without power.