WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez has once again withdrawn from his mandatory title defence against McWilliams Arroyo, leaving Saturday’s Canelo Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim show in Miami without its chief supporting attraction.
The Mexican banger pulled out late on Thursday, citing an injury to his right hand, posting evidence of the damage on his Instagram account and apologising for the late withdrawal. Martinez was originally supposed to face Puerto Rican Arroyo last August but pulled out with a gastrointestinal illness.
“The truth is I am very sad, very disappointed by this, for what has happened to all my people who have always supported me and have always been with me,” said Martinez in his Instagram post. “This does not stop the fight [from eventually taking place] and I am going to go back to look for that knockout. I apologise to everyone.”
Martinez (17-1, 13 KOs & 1 NC) had attended the pre-fight press conference earlier on Thursday in Miami so the withdrawal was something of a surprise. The Mexican title holder also pulled out of a title defence against Francisco Rodriguez on the Canelo-Callum Smith undercard in December due to an unspecified illness.