Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Jay Harris - 29 February 2020

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mikey Garcia and Jessie Vargas have vowed to deliver a Fight of the Year-level war in their upcoming welterweight crossroads bout.

With a potential undercard addition comes the possibility of it not even being the best fight of the night.

BS.com has learned of advanced talks in place for a flyweight clash between recently crowned titlist Julio Cesar Martinez and unbeaten contender Jay Harris. Once finalized, the fight will land on the undercard of a February 29 DAZN shows topped by former multi-division titlists Garcia (39-1, 30KOs) and Vargas (29-2-2, 11KOs), live from The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

ESPN Deportes’ Salvador ‘Chava’ Rodriguez was the first to report the development

For Mexico’s Martinez (15-1, 12KOs), it will mark a quick turnaround following a breakout 2019 campaign. The 24-year old slugger ended the year by claiming a flyweight title in a 9th round knockout of former titlist Cristofer Rosales last December in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Eddy Reynoso-guided flyweight claimed the belt on his second try, having to settle for a No-Contest in his effort to unseat then-titlist Charlie Edwards last August in London, England. Martinez originally won by 3rd round knockout, only for the verdict to get overturned after it was accurately ruled that Edwards was on the canvas at the time the finishing blow landed.

Still, his dominance in the condensed affair was part of a terrific 2019 campaign which began with an upset knockout of Wales’ Andrew Selby, an unbeaten top-rated contender at the time.

Martinez will potentially kick off his 2020 campaign against another undefeated Welshman, though one coming off a standout 2019 run of his own.

Harris (17-0, 9KOs) wrapped up a three-win year with a 4th round knockout of three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic Bronze medalist Paddy Barnes last November. The 29-year old—who fights under the MTK Global managerial banner—entered the bout on the heels of another notable showing, soundly outpointing former title challenger Angel Moreno last June.

News of the fight potentially making its way to the greater Dallas area is the second lower-weight fight rumored for the show in recent days. As previously reported by BS.com, Matchroom Boxing’s managing director Eddie Hearn—who promotes the show—is also attempting to put together an intriguing clash between unbeaten junior bantamweight titlist Kal Yafai (26-0, 15KOs) and former four-division champ Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (48-2, 40KOs).

Jake Donovan

[Ruthless-RKO]

Good fight. Harris has to be on his A-game!

May not end well for him.

[THEBUTCH]

I don't think Harris has quite developed into a word title challenger just yet and this has come a couple of fights too soon, especially as it's against a good champion too.

[Coco]

You can't turn down world title fights, hopefully the money will be good, and if he is not ready now when will he be?

[Stuarty]

Should be a win for Martinez here. All the best to Harris though

[margaret thatcher]

I like Julio, he just goes in there and launches hands

[NoScoutingReports]

[KiwiRider]

This should be a cracker!
What a wonderful undercard fight.
Do I think it's too soon for Harris?
Yes, I think he is missing a step to this level. But saying that, I agree with Coco- you can't turn down title fights.

Anyone enlighten me on how they think Harris's chin is?
I've seen two of his fights

[Delta Jay]

Got a very good feeling about this.

Gonna be a proper war I think. I think Harris is gonna be a lot bigger than his isn’t he? Very excited for this.

It’s never too soon, you’re ready when you get the offer. Harris might not get a better chance than this.

[handsofstone]

I like Harris but Martinez is a wrecking ball especially as he's now got Carte blanche from the WBC to have some clenbutarol

[The_Don1]

Harris takes the dough, gets ended in 6, keeps his EBU title & retuns to domestic fights against either of the Edwards brothers or Andrew Selby, all in the MTK stable, I see the logic

[Ruthless-RKO]

Almost a month after winning the flyweight title of the World Boxing Council, the champion Julio César Martínez will prepare for his upcoming defense in the high elevation area of Big Bear, California.

"King" Martinez will make the trip on Wednesday, accompanied by his coach Mauricio Aceves, with the firm intention of reaching his first defense of the title, which is scheduled for February 29 against Wales' Jay Harris in Frisco, Texas.

Martinez discussed his training plans during a visit to the offices of the Boxing Commission of the CDMX, where he was being congratulated after being crowned world champion on December 20 by knocking out Nicaraguan veteran Cristofer Rosales in Phoenix, Arizona.

“We will be there for just over a month training. We will do a great physical preparation and the issue of sparring will be determined by my representative Eddy Reynoso. I'm going with my coach Mauricio Aceves,” Martinez explained to ESTO.

The big puncher is making a change to his usual routine, after his last two training camp commitments took place at the Otomí Ceremonial Center.

“Working at high elevation always gives you results. You arrive to the fight with more gas, with better physical condition, and all of that is reflected in the ring. We go with the mentality of doing things well and training to the fullest on a daily basis,” Martinez said.

“We already beat Andrew Selby, Charlie Edwards and now we are going against Harris. My opponent is complicated, has a style very similar to the British boxers that I already faced. Jay Harris is intense, he likes to come forward, but he also likes to box. We are ready for whatever he presents to us.”

Source

[Ruthless-RKO]

[JxhDel.]

This has "Charlie Edwards" written all over it.

[margaret thatcher]

This has "Charlie Edwards" written all over it.

Jay looks like Charlie a bit too

[Ruthless-RKO]

[margaret thatcher]

This is totally a Charlie Edwards

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is totally a Charlie Edwards

Is this a voluntary defence? Can't imagine Harris being a mando.

Well he just won a vacant belt against Rosales who was next in line.

[Delta Jay]

This is totally a Charlie Edwards

Is this a voluntary defence? Can't imagine Harris being a mando.

Well he just won a vacant belt against Rosales who was next in line.

If Martinez wins this well then that’s a crazy 12 months. There’s even better fights out there at the weight too, love to see him against a Tanaka or a Mthalane

Ed: No, make him fight Acosta!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Harris is like Keeler fighting Andrade. But with much more aggression.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[handsofstone]

Buzzing for Harris, what an opportunity for him here, World title fight on a big card across the pond against a top dangerous champion, Martinez is a beast just walks forward and throws hands, destroyed Edwards but made a hash of it then took apart a durable fighter in Rosales to win the title last time, Harris a neat boxer who can fight it out when he wants, he outgunned Moreno to win the European but its one thing slugging it out with the likes of Angel Moreno and another thing entirely trying to duke it out with Julio Cesar Martinez, Harris done a number on Barnes, both Harris and Martinez like to work the body and I'm sure Harris will try to box Martinez on the back foot but it'll be a long night Martinez wont give him any peace

Rooting for Harris but my head tells me Martinez will take him apart after a tricky start

[margaret thatcher]

Love myself some JCM, dude just lets the punches flow and is great at punching on the move, unlike a lot of sluggers who need to set themselves

[Stuarty]

Rooting for Harris but this will be too big a jump in class than what he has been facing prior to this opportunity. He's jumping from facing domestic level guys to facing a good, tough champion. His opponents up until now hasn't exactly been ideal preparation.

[THEBUTCH]

Jay is a quality European level boxer, but Martinez is clearly world class and it's a leap of faith for team Harris to see if he can bridge the gap.

Although Martinez switched off for small periods against Edwards as soon as let's the punches fly it was game over.

I'd be impressed if Harris can last the course and make it competitive, but at world ttitle level the body shots can really separate the world class boxers from those who are not.