Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros - October 23, 2020

[Ruthless-RKO]

The card is targeted for Mexico City

Earlier this month, Eddie Hearn revealed that champions Juan Fracisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez, and Julio Cesar Martinez would likely share an October tripleheader. Now, Mike Coppinger’s got a potential date and suite of opponents: Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, Gonzalez against Israel Gonzalez, and Martinez against Maximino Flores on October 23rd.

Nicaragua’s TN8 also reports the date and lineup. ESPN’s Fernando Barbosa claims that the card will take place in Mexico City.

Estrada (40-3, 27 KO) narrowly defeated Cuadras (39-3-1, 27 KO) in 2017 on the strength of a 10th-round knockdown. The two have been on rather disparate trajectories since; Estrada went on to split a pair of wars with Srisaket Sor Rungvisai to claim the WBC title and defend it with a thumping of Dewayne Beamon, while Cuadras suffered a shock loss to McWilliams Arroyo before entering rehab for substance abuse. He’s 3-0 over marginal competition since.

“Chocolatito” (49-2, 41 KO) will be making the first defense of his WBA “super” title, which he took from Kal Yafai in February with a throwback performance. With Joshua Franco and Andrew Moloney set to rematch for the “regular” and mandatory status, 23-year-old Gonzalez (25-3, 11 KO) gets his third crack at gold. He fell short in previous efforts against Jerwin Ancajas and Kal Yafai, though he recently took a split decision over former title challenger Sho Ishida.

Should Estrada and Gonzalez win, Coppinger reports that they’ve “agreed” to square off in either February or March in a long-awaited rematch.

Martinez (16-1, 12 KO) vs. Flores (25-4-2, 17 KO) could be absolute mayhem. “Max” may not have the prettiest record, but he’s just as much of a Vicious Little Bastard (tm) as “Rey.” The guy once threw over 270 punches in a single round; he’ll probably still get merked, but damn if it won’t be entertaining while it lasts.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Matchroom return to Mexico on Friday October 23 at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City with a World title triple-header led by champions Juan Francisco Estrada, Román ‘Chocolatito’ González and Julio Cesar Martinez, live on DAZN in the US and on TV Azteca in Mexico, on a huge fight night brought to you by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing with Zanfer Promotions.

Juan Francisco Estrada (40-3 27 KOs) will defend his WBC and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles in a rematch with Carlos Cuadras. Estrada makes the second defense of the belts having stopped Dewayne Beamon in nine rounds of action in Hermosillo in Mexico in August 2019, four months after ripping the belts from Srisaket Sor Rungvisai with a brilliant performance in their rematch in Los Angeles.

Victory in Mexico City for both Estrada and Chocolatito could lead to a rematch between the pair eight years after Chocolatito won their first meeting, but Cuadras has other ideas.

Estrada and Cuadras tangled for the first time in September 2017 in an ultra-competitive showdown, where an 11th round knockdown by Estrada proved decisive in all three judges awarding him the fight by a solitary point. Cuadras (39-3-1 27 KOs) enters the bout with three wins on the spin and the 32 year old will be putting it all on the line to become a two-time WBC champion at Super-Flyweight.

“I am excited to return to the ring,” said Estrada. “it has been tough months for the whole world and we want to give a great show to all the fans of this sport.

“The first fight against Cuadras was a good fight, without a doubt this will be too. Also, we are going to share the show Chocolatito and I and if everything goes well, we hope to see each other again soon.”

“I am going to correct the mistakes that were made in the first fight against Gallo to go out with my hand up in this new opportunity that is being presented to me,” said Cuadras. “I want to show that I am one of the best in this division.”

Chocolatito (49-2 41 KOs) is back at the summit of the sport after rolling back the years with a vintage win over Kal Yafai in February. The Nicaraguan ace stopped the unbeaten Briton in the ninth round in Dallas to become a World Super-Flyweight champion for the second time, and the four weight World ruler will defend the WBA belt he ripped from Yafai and aim to set up another clash with Estrada against a former Yafai victim, Israel Gonzalez.

Gonzalez (25-3 11 KOs) ran Yafai close for the WBA crown in Monte Carlo in November 2018 and his clash with Chocolatito will be his third World title shot having challenged Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF strap in February 2018.

“I want to thank God for giving me the strength to endure the sport I love and defend my World title,” said Chocolatito. “I want to thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing as well as my family of Teiken. I also want to thank all my fans, specially my Mexican friends and Zanfer promotions for giving me this great opportunity, it is truly a blessing to fight in Mexico and I am ready to give my all on October 23.”

“It’s a goal of mine beating Chocolatito especially when the fight is in Mexico,” said Gonzalez. “I feel the compromise of giving a great fight for the fans and for every mexican fighter that have fought for a World title.”

The third World title fight on the bill sees a welcome return to the ring for one of boxing’s most exciting rising stars as Julio Cesar Martinez puts his WBC World Flyweight strap on the line against IBO champion Maximino Flores.

Martinez (16-1 12 KOs) is becoming a must-see attraction in the sport with his all-action style and ferocious power, and the 25 year old Mexican puts his belt on the line for the second time since beating Cristofer Rosales inside nine rounds in December, and seeing off the spirited challenge of Jay Harris in Dallas in February.

Flores (25-4-2 17 KOs) landed the vacant IBO crown in August with victory on hostile territory over Carlo Penalosa in the Philippines, and the 29 year old can add another title straight away with victory in this all-Mexican bout.

“I’ve been preparing very well here with my trainer Mauricio Aceves,” said Martinez. “We’re having a very strong camp. Thank God that I’ve still been able to work out throughout the pandemic. Either my trainer comes to my house or I go to his. Either way I haven’t lost my conditioning.

“Thank God I haven’t been directly affected by the Pandemic. I’ve been able to remain active with running and practical skills with the help of Mauricio. We’re just here putting the final touches on my training but I’m very confident that my trainer has me in the best shape for this upcoming fight”

“The whole world will know my name when I beat Martinez,” said Flores. “It is a unique opportunity in my career, and I have to take advantage of it, all my life I have prepared for this moment”.

Three of Eddie Hearn’s young tyros make their return to action on the bill, with Diego Pacheco (9-0 7 KOs) boxing for the tenth time in the paid ranks, Austin Williams (5-0 4 KOs) making a second foray outside the States in his sixth pro fight and Otha Jones III (5-0 2 KOs) also boxing for the sixth time as a pro.

“I can’t wait for our return to Mexico with this triple-header of World title action,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Three of the very best World champions are in action and in real tests for their crowns.

“A rematch between Juan Francisco Estrada and Chocolatito is a done deal for the first quarter of 2021 but they both have hard fights ahead. Estrada’s first fight with Carlos Cuadras’ was nip and tuck war, and Carlos is full of confidence that he’ll get a big victory this time.

“Chocolatito was outstanding in beating Brit Kal Yafai in Dallas, and the former pound-for-pound king has a new lease of life as he chases more belts – but must be at his best against his Mexican namesake aiming for third time lucky in his hunt for a World title.

“Julio Cesar Martinez is one of the most thrilling World champions out there right now and I can’t wait to see him back in action. The firecracker Mexican guarantees excitement, and with Maximino Flores having a high KO percentage himself and coming in after landing the IBO belt, this will catch fire straight away.

“Three incredibly talented youngsters are back in the ring on the night in Diego, Ammo and OJIII – it’s a stacked night of action and one not to be missed!”

“We are going to give the fans a high-quality card as they always deserve it,” said Fernando Beltran from Zanfer Promotions. “Very interesting fights with great sports idols who always leave everything in the ring.”

[bobcatbox]

Nice nice nice card.

[JxhDel.]

Delightful card.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Julio Cesar Martinez Hunts For Replacement, Maximino Flores (COVID) Out

Julio Cesar Martinez is once again faced with compromised plans for his next scheduled fight.

A new opponent will need to be secured for the reigning WBC flyweight titlist, who is due to appear on the undercard of the October 23 DAZN show airing live from Mexico City. Martinez’s originally scheduled opponent, Maximino Flores was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19, multiple sources informed Boxing Scene on Thursday.

News of the development was first reported by ESPN Deportes’ Salavador ‘Chava’ Rodriguez.

The news is obviously a letdown for Martinez (16-1, 12KOs) who aims to make his second flyweight title defense. The squat brawler from Mexico City was previously slated to defend versus Puerto Rico’s McWilliams Arroyo on August 15 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, only to have to withdraw due to non-COVID related illness.

Barely two months later, he is now left without an opponent for the moment. Sources inform BS.com that such a process to secure a replacement foe is currently underway, although still very much up in the air as this goes to publish.

Flores (25-4-2, 17KOs) aimed to add the WBC strap to his current hold on the IBO title, which he won in a technical decision win over Carlo Caesar Peñalosa last August on the road in the Philippines. That dream is now on hold given his current medical status.

Martinez claimed a flyweight title with a 9th round stoppage of Cristofer Rosales last December in Phoenix, Arizona. The win helped cap a banner year for his team, namely head coach Eddy Reynoso, who was named 2019 Trainer of the Year for his work with Martinez, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and Oscar Valdez.

For Martinez, it was sweet success the second time around, winning the same belt that was literally taken from him in a knockout win-turned No Contest versus Charlie Edwards last August. An originally ruled 3rd round knockout was overturned due to Edwards being hit while down on a knee from an official knockdown. One title defense has followed since his win over Rosales, scoring a competitive but clear decision over unbeaten Jay Harris in their 12-round scorcher this past February in Frisco, Texas.

His second title defense will depend on how efficiently the team at Zanfer Promotions can navigate during a pandemic.

Martinez’s scheduled bout comes in supporting capacity to a pair of junior bantamweight fights, one of which could also be in jeopardy.

For now, the one that remains fully intact and free of rumors involves four-division and reigning 115-pound titlist Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez. The modern-day legendary boxer from Managua, Nicaragua makes the first defense of his second junior bantamweight title reign versus Los Cabos’ Israel Gonzalez (25-3, 11KOs; no relation) in the evening’s chief support.

Conflicting information leaves the main event in question.

Juan Francisco Estrada (40-3, 27KOs) is scheduled to defend his lineal junior bantamweight championship versus former titlist Carlos Cuadras (39-3-1, 27KOs), whom he defeated in a non-title fight in September 2017. The same report from ESPN Deportes indicates that the bout is in trouble due to Cuadras testing positive for COVID, although BS’s sources insist the fight remains intact until otherwise notified.

Whether in present form or versus a replacement opponent, Estrada will make the second defense of the 115-pound crown. The 30-year old from Hermosillo, Mexico claimed in a majority decision win over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in their thrilling rematch last April to become a two-division champion. Estrada previously reigned as a unified flyweight titlist before moving up to junior bantamweight in 2016.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros Now Set For Mexico City Card

Friday’s show in Mexico City remains a title fight tripleheader.

Reigning flyweight titlist Julio Cesar Martinez will proceed with his next title defense, as he will face countryman Moises ‘Taz’ Calleros in a scheduled 12-round contest. The bout serves part of a stacked DAZN-USA show live from Gimnasio TV Azteca in Mexico City. which features three title fights.

Calleros (33-9-1, 17KOs) enters as a late replacement for Maximino Flores, whom tested positive for COVID-19 as Boxing Scene previously reported.

Martinez will make the second defense of the flyweight title he violently snatched in a 9th round stoppage of Cristofer Rosales last December in Phoenix, Arizona. The win came four months after having believed to have won the belt, only for his knockout win over Charlie Edwards to be ruled a No-Contest due to landing a body shot while Edwards—the defending champ at the time—was on the canvas.

The lone defense of Martinez’s reign thus far came earlier this year, scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jay Harris in their entertaining clash this past February. Friday’s bout will mark his first in his home country since a knockout win over Andrew Selby last March to position himself as the mandatory challenger. It will also serve as his first fight in his hometown since August 2018.s

Calleros steps well up in class but is riding a five-fight win streak heading into his first career title fight. The closest he’s come to previously fighting for a major belt was in a February 2017 loss to Tatsuya Fukuhara for an interim strawweight title.

The 31-year old from Monterrey last fought in early February, scoring a six-round decision win in a stay-busy affair.

Headlining the show, Juan Francisco Estrada (40-3, 27 KOs) will attempt the second defense of his lineal 115-pound championship in a rematch with countryman and former titleholder Carlos Cuadras (39-3-1, 27 KOs). Estrada outpointed Cuadras in their September 2017 non-title fight.

In the evening’s chief support, Nicaragua’s legendary four-division titlist Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (49-2, 41 KOs) faces Los Cabos’ Israel Gonzalez (25-3, 11 KOs; no relation) in the first defense of his second junior bantamweight title reign.

[Boxing Prospect]

Given that Ryuya Yamanaka (light punching, Japanese technician at 105)stopped Calleros this isn't gonna be pretty :(

[Onetimeonly]

Can't believe this isn't on dazn. They've gotta be about done.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can't believe this isn't on dazn. They've gotta be about done.

You sure? It says DAZN on the poster..

[Onetimeonly]

Can't believe this isn't on dazn. They've gotta be about done.

You sure? It says DAZN on the poster..

Wasn't listed on a schedule. Good, if it is. I'll watch that.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can't believe this isn't on dazn. They've gotta be about done.

You sure? It says DAZN on the poster..

Wasn't listed on a schedule. Good, if it is. I'll watch that.

Friday night boxing eh.

[Onetimeonly]

You sure? It says DAZN on the poster..

Wasn't listed on a schedule. Good, if it is. I'll watch that.

Friday night boxing eh.

Nice lead in to khabib joining loma in the vanquished on Saturday.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Wasn't listed on a schedule. Good, if it is. I'll watch that.

Friday night boxing eh.

Nice lead in to khabib joining loma in the vanquished on Saturday.

You want Gaithje to win. Do you think he CAN win?

[Onetimeonly]

Friday night boxing eh.

Nice lead in to khabib joining loma in the vanquished on Saturday.

You want Gaithje to win. Do you think he CAN win?

I think he WILL win. More confident than with Lopez. Though in both cases backing a deserved underdog. Not one of my 'upsets' like maidana/broner where I knew I couldn't lose.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Estrada-Cuadras II DAZN Weigh-In Report From Mexico City

The two-division and reigning lineal junior bantamweight champion attempts the second defense of his crown as he faces former 115-pound titlist Carlos Cuadras. Their bout—a rematch to their September 2017 non-title fight—headlines a three-title fight show, streaming Friday evening live on DAZN from Gimnasio TV Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico.

Both boxers came in at an announced 114.5 pounds (52 kg.), well under the 115-pound divisional limit.

Gonzalez—a four-division champion—enters the first title defense of his second reign as a junior bantamweight title claimant, having reclaimed a belt in a one-sided stoppage of England’s Khalid Yafai this past February. He will defend his belt versus Los Cabos’ Israel Gonzalez (25-3, 11KOs; no relation).

Both boxers weighed an announced 114 pounds (51.7 kg.) for their 12-round contest.

Julio Cesar Martinez (16-1, 12KOs) appears in the first of the three title fights on the night, though his opponent’s eligibility to challenge for his flyweight belt is currently in doubt.

Moises Calleros (33-9-1, 17KOs) answered the call as a replacement for Maximino Flores, who tested positive for COVID. However, the veteran journeyman came in as a bantamweight for a flyweight fight, tipping the scale at a beefy 117.4 pounds (53.3 kg). He will have two hours to shed the weight, although the likelihood is the bout moving forward with Martinez—who weighed 111 pounds—retaining his title status and Calleros paying a fine in order to participate in a non-title fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Julio Cesar Martinez Destroys Moises Calleros in Two

Julio Cesar Martinez made Moises Calleros pay in the ring Friday night for his unprofessionalism at their weigh-in Thursday.

Martinez’s speed and power was entirely too much for Calleros, who was a late replacement in their 112-pound championship match at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City. Mexico’s Martinez (17-1, 13 KOs, 1 NC) scored a knockdown in the first round, clobbered Calleros with power shots during the second round and stopped him before that second round ended.

Referee Cesar Castanon stepped between them to stop the action at 2:42 of the second round on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Carlos Cuadras undercard. Calleros (33-10-1, 17 KOs) was still standing when Castanon halted the fight.

Calleros agreed to challenge Martinez on less than one week’s notice. Martinez had been scheduled to defend his WBC world flyweight title against another Mexican opponent, Maximino Flores, but Flores (25-4-2, 17 KOs, 2 NC) tested positive for COVID-19. The 31-year-old Calleros couldn’t win Martinez’s title because he Calleros came in 5½ pounds overweight Friday.

A left hook by Martinez knocked Calleros into the ropes 28 seconds into the second round. Martinez’s right hand knocked Calleros into the ropes 1:15 into that second round.

Calleros tried to fight back, but Martinez blasted him with a right hand that snapped his head back and knocked him into the ropes with 25 seconds to go in the second round. Martinez jumped on his vulnerable opponent and unloaded power punches until Castanon came to Calleros’ rescue.

A left-right-left combination by Martinez made Calleros go into a squatting position and use his right glove to keep himself from going down. That counted as a knockdown just 50 seconds into the first round. Martinez then knocked Calleros off balance with a left hook when there was about a minute remaining in the opening round.

[handsofstone]

Martinez is an animal, throws every punch with bad intentions but has quality as well, Calleros never knew what hit him, decked by a cracking left hook/right hand/left hook in the 1st and it went downhill from there, Martinez walked him down and battered him upstairs and down, rocked him with a right in the 2nd and was teeing off Calleros in the ropes when it was stopped, brutal stuff from Martinez