WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez believes he must face Puerto Rican rival McWilliams Arroyo to prove his credentials at 112lbs.
Martinez has twice withdrawn from a fight with mandatory contender and WBC Interim belt holder Arroyo through illness and injury, in August 2020 and February 2021 respectively.
For the big-punching Mexican, that bout is unfinished business before he turns his attention to the ultra-talented super-flyweight division that features fellow Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai among others.
Martinez (18-1, 14 KOs & 1 NC) was last seen steamrollering game countryman Joel Cordova in six rounds 10 days ago in Guadalajara, but isn’t done yet at flyweight.
“I would like to fight Arroyo in September or October to unify the [WBC 112lbs] titles and show that I am the best at flyweight. I need that fight, so next year I’ll try to go up to super-flyweight,” Martinez told EFE.
“The road has not been easy, before reaching the pros I had 250 amateur fights. It has been a very beautiful journey that I enjoy a lot more now that I am world champion, but I am not satisfied, I want much more.
“What hurts [opponents] the most about my style is that I like to go right to the front, to look for the opponent regardless of their style. I like to present an aggressive style to find out right away who has the most fragile jaw.”
The sturdy and seasoned Arroyo (21-4, 16 KOs) has never been stopped and should test that strategy should their paths finally cross after two missed assignments.