Former two-weight champion Sergio Martinez successfully returned at 45 years of age and still resembled his former fighting self with a seventh-round stoppage over Jose Miguel Fandino in El Malecon, Torrelavega, on Friday night. The Argentine is now focused on a WBA Regular 160lbs title fight with Japanese star Ryota Murata.
Martinez (52-3-2, 29 KOs) hadn’t fought since an injury-influenced defeat to Miguel Cotto in 2014, where he battled on with two damaged knees and was subsequently dominated in 10 rounds.
With wrapping on both of his troublesome knees, southpaw Martinez gradually broke Spaniard Faudino’s resistance and began to unload in the third.
In the sixth, a body shot hurt Fandino (15-7, 8 KOs) and he was floored by a follow-up assault. He rose but was hurt again at the end of the session.
A straight left to the body dropped Fandino once more in the seventh where he was counted out in considerable distress.
“This night was wonderful for me. I don’t forget everything I went through. Those were very tough moments when I got up and started training. I was ready to do ten rounds, if necessary. Luckily Fandino fell, the blows to the body made a dent,” said an emotional Martinez in the ring afterwards.
“I needed the contact with the canvas, with the ropes, with everything, with the referee. The knee brace was not necessary, but it was there just in case: it’s been six years without trying to the maximum. This is the beginning of something very beautiful. I won’t stop until the world title. I’ve learned to enjoy the road. I have in mind to continue doing a few more fights. I need to consolidate here to feel ready to face [Ryota] Murata. From this point to four fights.”
In other action, Ted Cheeseman’s former conqueror Sergio Garcia (32-0, 13 KOs) outslicked a doughty Pablo Mendoza (9-5, 9 KOs) at 154lbs. Scores were 99-92, 98-92 and 98-93.
Meanwhile, former IBF 122lbs champion Kiko Martinez (40-9-2, 28 KOs) halted Noe Martinez Raygoza (23-10-2, 10 KOs) after the Mexican didn’t emerge for the third round.
Main image: BeCreative Menorca