Connect with us

Featured Articles

Fernando Martínez, an Oasis in Argentine Boxing

Published

on

Fernando-Martinez-An-Oasis-in-Argentine-Boxing

The triumph of Fernando Martínez last Saturday, October 8th, in the rematch against the veteran former world champion Jerwin Ancajas, gave a sigh of relief to the authorities and boxing enthusiasts of Argentina, as there has been a lack of Argentine title-holders.

With a very aggressive performance beginning in the third round, Fernando “El Puma” Martínez (15-0-0, 8 KOs) managed to retain the IBF super flyweight crown which he had snatched from the Tagalog southpaw, also by unanimous decision, on February 26th at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.

Now Martínez, 31 years old and a native of the city of Avellaneda in Greater Buenos Aires, is the fortieth and only current champion of that country, which has had a rich history in the discipline at the international level since 1954 when Pascual “El León Mendocino” Pérez won the WBA flyweight belt after beating Japanese Yoshio Shirai by points in 15 rounds. Shirai had successfully held the crown for nine defenses.

The list of 40 professional Argentine boxing champions includes, among others, the late Carlos “Escopeta” Monzón, who snatched the middleweight title from Italian Nino Benvenuti in 1970 and later defended it 14 times.

Equally outstanding is the trajectory of Omar “El Huracán” Nárvaez, a WBO flyweight champion who held the title through 16 fights between 2002 and 2009. He also successfully defended the WBO super flyweight title 11 times between 2010 and 2014.

Martínez’s first success against Ancajas was surprising. So much so that the odds were tilted 5-1 for the victory of the Asian, who was defending the world belt for the tenth occasion since 2016 when he obtained it by defeating the Puerto Rican twin McJoe Arroyo (18-4-0, 8 KOs) in Philippine territory.

But after that convincing “performance” by Martinez, the landscape changed drastically for the second matchup. This time the South American started as a 3-1 favorite and again came out with his arm raised at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California, backing up the predictions.

The votes of the three officials reflected what happened in the ring: judges Tiffany Clinton and Zachary Young delivered scorecards of 118-110, while Ellis Johnson awarded 11 rounds to the winner and only one to the loser (119-109).

“This was about validating the first fight,” said Martinez, who did all the previous preparation on Argentine soil under the direction of Rodrigo Calabrese. “I trained very hard for this fight. I have a lot of people to thank, but most importantly this is for my dad up in heaven.”

And still smiling in the ring, in the company of his promoter, the former star Marcos “El Chino” Maidana and several members of the coaching staff, Martínez launched the logical challenge to the great figures of 115 pounds.

It is worth remembering that the current promoter Maidana is also a member of the select group of Argentine champions. He won the 140-pound world title by defeating Russian Petr Petrov by knockout in the fourth round in September 2011. And three years later, in December 2013, he won the WBA welterweight title, unanimously defeating the American Adrien “The Problem” Broner, in San Antonio, Texas.

When referring to the victory against Ancajas, Martínez stated: “It’s definitely harder to maintain the hunger and retain the title, but now we’re going after ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez and everyone else in the division who’s in my way.”

That path to the best of the 115-pounders that Martínez intends to travel is full of thorns, because in addition to González, it is made up of the Mexicans Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada (42-3-0, 28 KOs) and Jesse “Bam” Rodríguez (17-0-0, 11 KOs), franchise champion and “regular” champion of the WBC, respectively.

Also holding championship belts in the super flyweight category are the American Joshua “El Professor” Franco (18-1-2, 8 KOs) and the Japanese Kazuto Ioka (29-2-0, 15 KOs), owners of the WBA and the WBO belts, respectively.

“My record shows that I’m a champion but it doesn’t show the intensity that I have in my fights,” said Martinez. “Now I can buy the house that my mother needs.”

Photo credit: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Article submitted by Jorge Juan Alvarez in Spanish.

Please note if there are any errors in translation, they were completely unintentional.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles1 week ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles1 week ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 day ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles8 hours ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 day ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles3 days ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles5 days ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles1 week ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles1 week ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending