An inactive world champion. The limit of tolerance: the crossroads of the Argentine who has not fought for 8 months

Rarely a Argentine world champion must have endured so many negligence and negotiations so dense like those from Buenos Aires Fernando “Pumita” Martinez has tolerated around the upcoming defense of his IBF super flyweight crown. Not even Víctor Galíndez himself endured so many adversities to clarify his career when he decided to separate himself from his promoter, Tito Lectoure, litigating with the company Top Rank in 1979, in an adventure that culminated with the loss of the title and his fractured jaw against Marvin Johnson, in a ring in New Orleans.

Martinez, 32 years, won the title at the beginning of 2022 and made only two defenses since then. The last one was against the Filipino Jade Bornea, on June 24, and the Argentine did not fight again due to disagreements between his local representatives (Chino Maidana Promotions) and the American Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), with which he still has a contract signed. for one more fight. There is the key.

Blood on the camera lens, a broken ear: Martínez’s last confrontation was bloody and left Bornea injured.

Sean Gibbons, American intermediary between the parties and strong man of PBC, anticipated THE NATION: “Martinez’s next fight will be announced shortly.” The concrete thing is that there are only two options. Just two! A probable unification against the Japanese Kazuto IokaWBA holder and quadruple champion at different weights, and fulfill his mandatory defense against the American Jesse “Bam” Rodríguezcurrent IBF and WBO flyweight champion.

Martinez vs. the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Ioka in Tokyo?

Japan is experiencing absolute euphoria in its boxing present with the consecration of nine world champions. Beyond the ejection of her divo, Naoya Inoue, her current representatives exhibit a very high level. What must happen to achieve this match? The failure of the efforts in the other fight planned for Ioka, against the Mexican Juan “Gallo” Estrada, champion of the World Boxing Council, originally scheduled for next July 3 in the Japanese capital. The fate of Martínez will depend on all this, who for more than a year has wanted this fight against an Asian boxing icon. A lot of risk, a lot of money, a lot of glory and absolute lack of political protection.

Kazuto Ioka, quadruple champion at different weights, is one of the stars of the high Japanese present in boxing.

Martinez vs. the 2016 NCAA Tournament. “Bam” Rodriguez in US. UU.?

Pumita vs. Rodríguez is the fight in the “folder” to enhance the American, a highly promoted boxing figure in his country. How would they force Martínez to accept it? With a promotion by “Bam”. He won his 19 appearances, with 12 KOs and a peculiarity: he already won this WBC super flyweight crown, in 2022. He then lost weight and had great success in his current division with 50,802 kilos. If he renounced his world flyweight crown, he would automatically be proclaimed the official challenger of “Pumita” by the FIB, whose deadlines for carrying out any other type of fight expired due to this absurd inactivity.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez damages Sunny Edwards in their showdown for the World Council and International Federation fly belts in Glendale, Arizona.Ed Mulholland/Matchroom. – Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

Conclusion? Martínez gave his best in his two World Cup matches, against the Filipinos Jerwin Ancajas and Jake Bornea in the United States. With admirable preparation and delivery. He left no doubts and aroused admiration. However, the world of “business” and the back and forth from both parties postponed it in an odious way. Now they will throw him to the maximum, against a high-ranking but “worn” champion, Ioka, and against a young puncher, Rodríguez, who seduced the environment with his last KO, the Englishman Sunny Edwards.

Fernando Martínez in Florida, while awaiting his most recent presentation; He wants new performances in the United States, to transcend more.Courtesy Fernando Martínez Press

Martínez wants these types of confrontations and is trained to face them. He wants to be an elite champion. With prestige and money. Something more than the kid from La Boca who aspires to once and for all buy “the big house from the old lady…”.

Pumita with her characteristic pose; The boxer from La Boca already wants more than to buy an important home for his mother.Courtesy Fernando Martínez press

Osvaldo Principi

Themes

The KO maturesFernando MartínezFernando Puma Martínez

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