Julio Cesar Martinez vs Cristofer Rosales Preview
When: December 20, 2019
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Network: DAZN
Time: 9PM EST
Julio Cesar Martinez (14-1, 11 KOs) and Cristofer Rosales (29-4, 20 KOs) will face off for the vacant WBC World Flyweight title. Happening on the undercard of Daniel Jacobs vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, this fight has the potential to steal the show. On paper, Martinez – Rosales has a chance to be a highly entertaining scrap.
Julio Cesar Martinez
Martinez is a pressure fighter who looks to seek and destroy. Far from a boxer, his motive is to walk and beat his opponent to the ground. He fights with a chip on his shoulder, with arrogance as if he views his foe as prey knowing he will eventually hunt them down and eat.
The 24-year-old switch-hitter from Mexico City is awkward, can be wild with his punches and crude. However, that style works for him because you can’t anticipate where his punches come from.
His power and ability to dig the body are his greatest strengths. Strong as an ox, once he turns up the pressure and let the punches flow, he’s like a locomotive looking to overpower and overwhelm.
Keys To Victory: Martinez
Get inside and attack the body! 3 ½ inches shorter than his opponent, the 5’ 3” Martinez must get inside the reach of his taller and longer opponent. Make this a war of attrition. Because he is the more active fighter, force the action.
Cristofer Rosales
The 25-year-old from Managua, Nicaragua likes to keep the fight in the middle of the ring, dictating the things behind the jab. Tall for the division at 5’ 6 ½”, he is not a boxer in the truest sense. Rosales is just as comfortable walking fighters down as he is fighting from distance.
Rosales is physically strong with power in both hands. And like Martinez, he is a good body-puncher. While he has decent boxing, skills let’s be clear, this dude likes to fight!
Keys To Victory: Rosales
Do his best to keep Martinez at bay. Establish his jab going and force the power-punching Mexican to fight on the back foot. It would also be nice if Rosales can somehow hurt Martinez to earn his respect.
Prediction
Based on styles, this should be a barn-burner. Both men are not afraid to go to war, and both men can hit hard.
Cristofer Rosales is tough and will land his share of punches. However, because he’s not a real mover, he will be in punching range for Martinez.
Julio Cesar Martinez wins by decision with his work rate being the separator. This fight will turn out to be one of the best fights of 2019.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
