Roman Martinez Out Of March 12 WBO Title Defense

Roman Martinez Out – WBO Super Featherweight titleholder Roman “Rocky” Martinez will not be fighting on Saturday, March 12 in Merida, Mexico against Mexican Miguel “The Scorpion” Berchelt due to an injured left hand.

Martinez was supposed travel to Mexico this coming Monday, March 7 for his defense against Mexico’s Berchelt.  However, Dr. Jose M. Santiago Figueroa, hand specialist and orthopedic surgeon, recommended a four-week break after a diagnosis of “extensor carpi radialis Longus” and tendonitis in the hand of Martinez.

“Rocky will not be able to fight on March 12. Rocky had pain in his left hand, so we went last week to see a specialist in hand surgery and one of the best doctors in Puerto Rico, and he prescribed some medication to Rocky, but the pain continued and we went to see him again yesterday (Thursday), and after an evaluation the doctor diagnosed and recommended not to punch with that hand and rest for four weeks. As soon as the doctor informed us yesterday (Thursday), we communicated with the people at Zanfer Promotions to let them know about the matter and sound out the possibility of a new date for the fight” said Peter Rivera, Martinez’s promoter.

“I feel bad for all Puerto Rican fans, including some who already had tickets to go to Mexico with us, but I had to be 100%, and I could not disappoint my country and fight there injured. Now I have to follow the doctor’s instructions and wait patiently until they give me the nod, ” Martinez said, adding. “Everyone knows I’ll be ready to return to the ring and defend my title when I get back.”

Roman Martinez Out

The Puerto Rican fighter who is now a 3x WBO champion at 130 pounds, had injury problems and illnesses before major commitments in 2011 and 2014.

“This injury delays us as we had some plans for Rocky, but these things happen. It’s not the first time this happens to Rocky. It happened when he went to confront Luis “El Artesano” Cruz ( in 2011) in an eliminator for the WBO at 130 pounds in a Showtime bout. Then in 2014 the fight with Ray Beltran didn’t happen. As recently as last month the Keith Thurman fight with Shawn Porter fell apart. Unexpected things happen, and fights fall” said Rivera. “It’s better this way, Rocky will rest, and we hope that he will not have to have surgery.”

Martinez will rest his hand for the time the doctor prescribed, but will keep exercising to be ready to get the nod to fully train and re-use the left hand.

“Rocky is a warrior and wanted to go ahead with the fight, but recognizes that for the sake of his career is better to follow the doctor’s recommendation. Everyone knows that Rocky does not shy away from opponents, so when his hand recovers he will be ready for anyone,” Rivera said.

Check out the latest news and videos at The Boxing Channel