WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez is seeking to regain some lost momentum when he battles compatriot Joel Cordova at the Dome Alcalde – CODE Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Saturday.
Headlining live worldwide on DAZN will present Martinez’s career with some welcome impetus after he withdrew through injury from two defences against mandatory challenger McWilliams Arroyo in Tulsa last August and Miami in February. A brief, second-round win over Moises Calleros last October has been the champion’s only action in 16 months.
Mexican Martinez (17-1, 13 KOs & 1 NC) hopes to reignite his career at the weekend so he can press for unification fights at 112lbs.
“I am happy and excited to be back in the ring and have the chance to make up for lost time,” said the 26-year-old Martinez. “It’s already been more than four months without a fight. I am so disappointed that two fights fell through but here’s hoping to return as I’ve always said, with everything except fear, and to always leave everything on the ring.
“It was the hand thing. I was boxing with super tough guys and in one clash, all good clashes by the way, I hit a guy in the head and my metacarpal swelled. I was going to move forward, but Mr. Eddy Reynoso [manager] and Mr. Mauricio Sulaimán [WBC President] saw the lesion and thought it was too swollen, so they opted to take care of me and not let me fight.
“Now I am happy but at the same time sad as I had great opportunities and because there you can see the support and thank God, I was given all the support by Mr. Sulaimán, Mr. Eddie Hearn [promoter] and Mr. Reynoso.
“We know Cordova and he knows it. It’s going to be a very good fight. I have boxed with him before. At one time, we sparred with him. We did a collaboration for ‘El Gallito’, sparring as part of an exhibition. The guy has a lot of heart, he also likes to go forward and I feel that a fight with a lot of action is going to be very good. And as always, let the best man win.
“As always, to do what I know, what I have trained for with my coach Mauricio Aceves. Attack, not get too crazy, take care of myself and move forward, throw out my combinations. We are ready for the twelve rounds or, God willing, the fight reaches a knockout.”
Main image: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing.