Kiko Martinez Scores the Upset of His Career to Become Champion Once More
2021 was a year of resurgence for a lot of fighters. However, none had a better comeback than Kiko “La Sensacion” Martinez (43-10-2, 30KOs).
The Argentine two-division champion has faced a “who’s who” of elite fighters in his career. His first reign as a world champion started in 2013 when he scored a six round TKO win over Jonathan Romero to become the IBF super bantamweight champion. Following that win, he would make two successful title defenses.
In September of 2014, La Sensacion would attempt to make a third defense of his IBF title against Carl Frampton (28-3, 16KOs) in a rematch of their February 2013 fight. Just like their initial bout, Martinez would be on the wrong side of defeat.
RELATED: Roman Gonzalez: 3Kings Boxing 2020 Comeback Fighter of the Year!
COMING UP SHORT IN BIG FIGHTS!
After losing his IBF title, Martinez received several marquee bouts that would have helped him become a champion again or kept him as a high ranking contender. He lost his second world title opportunity against hard-hitting WBA super bantamweight champion Scott Quigg in July of 2015. Another shot (and miss) would come against WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz seven months later.
A crossroads bout in May 2017 against future world champion Josh Warrington, the losing streak continued. At this point it became clear that Martinez may never get back the glory he once had. Furthermore, he may just be another “gate-keeper” for up and coming fighters to beat up on. The former champion had no problem feasting on lower-tier competition but he just could not be competitive against his higher caliber opponents.
Then at 33 years old, he was given another opportunity regardless of bullying unknown competition in Spain and his inability to impress in higher profile fights. WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. would dispatch the former champ in five rounds with relative ease in 2019!
THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL…RIGHT?
At this point, the “gate-keeper” status had been assigned to La Sensacion. After picking up two more wins in Spain against limited opposition, his status was shown as he was matched up against prospect Zelfa Barrett to start 2021. Although he lost th fight, Martinez did relatively well and even managed to deliver a cut to Barrett’s eye.
Still, it was another blow to the former champion’s image. Now, “retirement” became a very palatable thought, especially as he approached his 35th birthday.
A MIRACLE COMEBACK
The Boxing Gods decided to give Martinez one more shot after a September 2021 victory win over 14-9 Jayo Duran in Spain catapulted him to the fifteenth spot in the IBF rankings. Why this happened is anyone’s guess but the move was the precursor to one of the biggest upsets of 2021!
Newly crowned IBF champ Kid Galahad (28-2, 17KOs) was looking for his first title defense and Martinez got the call. The fight did not turn out the way anyone imagined!
After repeatedly getting beat to the punch by the younger and quicker champion, the momentum suddenly shifted to Martinez in the fifth round! A hard right hand that sent Galahad to the canvas towards the end of the round. He was severely hurt as made his way back to his corner and his legs were still unsteady as he rose to start round six.
Then ten seconds into the round, Martinez would overcome the odds when another right landed flush and left Galahad out cold before his body hit the canvas! Just like that he was champion again!
This could arguably be the upset of the year depending on how much value is put into other upsets for 2021. However, it definitely enough for Kiko Martinez to be named 3kingsboxing.com’s Comeback Fighter Of The Year.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
By: Jerrell Fletcher & EJ Williams
Be the first to comment