Eddie Hearn believes in Julio Cesar Martinez
WBC Flyweight champion “El Rey” Julio Cesar Martinez (17-1, 13ko) has been on an epic run since losing his very first professional bout back in 2015. The talented Mexican champion has been so impressive that Matchroom Boxing/DAZN promoter Eddie Hearn signed him back in 2019.
Many inside the boxing community are eager to see “El Rey” step in the ring with some of the other champions in the division.
A YEAR TO REMEMBER
Martinez had an excellent 2019. His coming-out party fight was a WBC title eliminator against then-undefeated Andrew Selby. El Rey scored a fifth-round knockout with a brutal body shot that Selby was never able to recover from.
This would set-up the hard-punching Mexican fighter to take on then-WBC champion Charlie Edwards. The fight would end as a no-contest after Martinez hit Edwards with a body shot while he was on a knee in the third round. However, four months later, El Rey would get another shot at the title after Edwards moved up, taking on former champion Cristofer Rosales.
Martinez was not going to be denied a second time around. He won the fight in dominating fashion via ninth-round stoppage. He followed up that performance with two successful title defenses in 2020. Although, there was one hiccup. The Mexican champion was going to fight veteran title contender McWilliams Arroyo, but Martinez had to postpone the fight due to having a throat infection.
THE QUEST FOR UNDISPUTED
Now, here it is, 2021, and things are in place for the two fighters to lock horns in the squared circle. Fans should be ready for one hell of a fight.
In the past, El Rey has indicated wanting to become the undisputed champion in 2021. Hearn shared the same sentiment on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.
“He’s ready. I think he is one of the most exciting pound-for-pound fighters in boxing right now. McWilliams Arroyo fight is a good fight. He’s mandatory, it’s Mexico vs Puerto Rico. Julio Cesar Martinez is special, and I think he can go through everyone in the division, even move up to superfly and start looking at Estrada and Chocolatito.”
“He’s so exciting, and I can’t wait to see him fight in the flesh on February 27. I would like to see him go through the division. Mthalane, the IBF champion, is an obvious choice. The WBA champion (Artem Dalakian) as well is a good competitive fight for him. All the champions, he will fight anybody.”
By: Garrisson Bland
