BoxRec

The fight would still take place at 115 pounds

The bad news: ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez recently revealed that Juan Francisco Estrada had withdrawn from his March 5th rubber match with Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez due to sub-optimal performance in training, possibly due to the lingering effects of COVID. This is the latest in a string of setbacks which have kept the combatants out of action since their terrific rematch last March.

The good news: Rodriguez now reports that Gonzalez will instead face WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez in “Rey’s” first proper super flyweight bout. No word yet as to how it’ll affect the WBC’s mini-tourney, which also includes Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Carlos Cuadras 2 for the super flyweight title on February 5th.

It’s hard to imagine this being anything other than a Fight of the Year candidate. These are two of the most potent offensive fighters in the entire sport, Gonzalez (50-3, 41 KO) a technician nonpareil and Martinez (18-1, 14 KO) a whirlwind of offbeat brutality. Gonzalez is clearly fighting above his ideal weight at 115, so size shouldn’t be an issue.

I was hoping to see “Rey” unify with Sunny Edwards after that terribly disappointing No Contest with McWilliams Arroyo, but I can’t exactly complain about this. As for whether he’ll stay at 115 full-time or return to 112 to settle unfinished business, you’ll know as soon as we do.

Fight obviously deserves it own thread!

Looks like DAZN just won back my custom with this one

f@ck ya

Press Release

Julio Cesar Martinez will face Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, California on Saturday March 5, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS STARTING AT $50 (PLUS FEES) ARE ON SALE NOW AT AXS.COM

Martinez (18-1 14 KOs) moves up to 115lbs and does so against a legend of the weight in Chocolatito (50-3 41 KOs), with the Mexican stepping in to replace Juan Francisco Estrada, who has been forced out of his trilogy clash with Chocolatito with COVID.

Martinez’s last outing was a trademark all-action shootout with McWilliams Arroyo in New Hampshire in November, with both men hitting the canvas in the opening round and Martinez flooring Arroyo in the second before the contest was stopped with Arroyo suffering a cut.

The exciting Mexican has spoken freely of his desire to move up in weight and challenge himself against the cream of the 115lb scene like Chocolatito and Estrada, and opportunity has knocked loudly for the 26 year old to announce himself at Super-Flyweight in San Diego and ‘El Rey’ plans to do so in style against the Nicaraguan star.

“I am thrilled that I am able to move up in weight and fight the very best straight away,” said Martinez. “Chocolatito is a living legend and a fighter I have always admired, so to be fighting him in my first fight at Super-Flyweight is special – but on the night, it’s going to be war and I am ready for it.

“I have ambitions to unify the Flyweight division and that flame still burns, but this fight is so huge for me, and I did not hesitate to accept it – I promise the fans that I will put on a show.”

“What a fight!” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Julio has ambitions to become a pound-for-pound star, and this is what the greats do – meet huge challenges head on and take them with both hands. Chocolatito is a modern great and he’s relishing this test against El Rey – I cannot wait for this fight and I’m so happy that both men have signed on the dotted line to deliver this brilliant fight to the fans.”

A stacked undercard sees Mauricio Lara return to action against Emilio Sanchez, Angel Fierro defends his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Juan Carlos Burgos, Diego Pacheco tastes eight round action for the fourth time against Genc Pllana, Marc Castro is in his sixth pro fight, Anthony Herrera fights for the second time in the paid ranks and Australian Skye Nicolson makes her pro debut.

Tickets starting at $50 are on sale now from Ticketmaster – fans that require refunds from the original headline fight should contact their point of purchase.

Great replacement, action galore guaranteed between these two.

Credit where credit's due. Great work by Eddie and the team.

Oh boy ! The news of this fight happening is enough to make one soil themself

Amazing match up

Didn't think I'd see these two mini-marvels in the same ring....just another one of those fantasy clashes that never happened.

Kudos to Fast Eddie

Serendipity replacement by Fast Eddie

Julio Cesar Martinez is a wild man with an engine, yea he looked vunerbable in the last fight but he got up won i ll back him here as well.i think roman has had his day

Yeah boyyyy!!!! Who’s going to be the top man child. Looking foreword to this one.

Charlie edwards is still rolling around in the canvas to this day.

Julio Cesar Martinez: I'm Very Ambitious To Become The First Mexican Fighter To KO Chocolatito

Hard hitting WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar “Rey” Martinez is pumped for his one division step up, on March 5 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, against four division world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.

Roman was scheduled to fight Juan Francisco Estrada for the third time; however, Estrada would recently announce that he tested positive for COVID-19, a situation that forced him to withdraw from the fight.

Once Estrada was out, the bold as brass Martinez banged on the front door, volunteering to climb up to the 115-pound division to fight Chocolatito.

Martinez is not worried about the weight.

The big puncher is more interested in becoming the first Mexican fighter to score a knockout victory over Gonzalez.

“I`m feel very strong going up in weight. I`m fifty-six kilos and will slim to fifty-four during the week. I have the hunger, I`m ready for anything and I`ll go on the attack. I will face a tough and a great fighter who I greatly respect. But I`m very ambitious to become the first Mexican fighter to KO Chocolatito," Martinez said.

Martinez, who`s well into his preparation at the Otomi Ceremonial Center, assured that even though Chocolatito has a lot of experience and enters this match as the big favorite, he's not the least bit discouraged. Martinez threw out a warning with his favorite motto: “I'll bring everything…except fear!”

Regarding the possibility of remaining at super flyweight, Martinez clarified that this is something that he will discuss at the right time with his team, since one of his goals is to unify the flyweight titles and then perhaps return to 115-pounds, but that will be decided in the future.

Martinez’s trainer, Mauricio Aceves Gallegos, has asked WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman to have a commemorative belt created for the fight. The WBC Prez will present the request to the Board of Governors.

Julio Cesar Martinez: I'm Very Ambitious To Become The First Mexican Fighter To KO Chocolatito

Hard hitting WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar “Rey” Martinez is pumped for his one division step up, on March 5 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, against four division world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.

Roman was scheduled to fight Juan Francisco Estrada for the third time; however, Estrada would recently announce that he tested positive for COVID-19, a situation that forced him to withdraw from the fight.

Once Estrada was out, the bold as brass Martinez banged on the front door, volunteering to climb up to the 115-pound division to fight Chocolatito.

Martinez is not worried about the weight.

The big puncher is more interested in becoming the first Mexican fighter to score a knockout victory over Gonzalez.

“I`m feel very strong going up in weight. I`m fifty-six kilos and will slim to fifty-four during the week. I have the hunger, I`m ready for anything and I`ll go on the attack. I will face a tough and a great fighter who I greatly respect. But I`m very ambitious to become the first Mexican fighter to KO Chocolatito," Martinez said.

Martinez, who`s well into his preparation at the Otomi Ceremonial Center, assured that even though Chocolatito has a lot of experience and enters this match as the big favorite, he's not the least bit discouraged. Martinez threw out a warning with his favorite motto: “I'll bring everything…except fear!”

Regarding the possibility of remaining at super flyweight, Martinez clarified that this is something that he will discuss at the right time with his team, since one of his goals is to unify the flyweight titles and then perhaps return to 115-pounds, but that will be decided in the future.

Martinez’s trainer, Mauricio Aceves Gallegos, has asked WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman to have a commemorative belt created for the fight. The WBC Prez will present the request to the Board of Governors.

“I`m feel very strong going up in weight."



He's feel. He's very feel

Usyk is proud!

Fight Week!

David Diamante To Return On Chocolatito-Martinez Card, March 5

On December 20, ring announcer David Diamante was critically injured in a motorcycle accident. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to regain a sense of normalcy in his life. This Saturday - March 5 - he will return to the ring for Matchroom Boxing's fight card on DAZN headlined by Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez - which takes place at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

Boxing Scene asked Diamante for some thoughts on this recent turn in his life and he shared the following:

*

Life teaches you to roll with punches.

Learning how to walk again and recovering from the most horrific accident I've experienced in my life is not what I thought I'd be dealing with weeks after hitting the milestone of my fiftieth birthday. The end of the year was going to be a celebratory time with friends and family. But "life" had other plans for me.

On December 20, 2021, my life changed. I was critically injured in a motorcycle accident.

Like fighters, motorcyclists hear stories. Stories of brothers being thrown from a motorcycle, paralyzed or worse. I know the risks. I've lost friends and know people who have been paralyzed for life. Suddenly, I found myself in a similar circumstance.

I slid and slammed into a parked van, cracking my body in half. I was in critical condition. My spine was fractured in four places and I suffered multiple broken ribs in addition to a severe knee injury. I've been injured before. But this was different. I've lived an incredibly full life with few regrets. There aren't many things I fear in life. But being paralyzed and unable to care for myself is one of them.

When people ask me now how I'm doing, I say I'm okay. The pain is always there. Doing simple things that people take for granted like putting on my socks, sitting in a chair, picking things up off the floor, or carrying a bag of groceries is suddenly very challenging. I took myself off social media because my condition was extraordinarily painful. And more important, I needed to focus fully on the healing process during this critical time of recovery. I promised myself that I would recover from this injury faster than anyone ever had. And I meant it.

Every gift, every letter, every phone call and text that I've received offering love and encouragement has been meaningful to me. I'm truly grateful for all of them. My heart is filled with gratitude.

I'm still learning my new normal. I'm recovering and growing in the process. Learning how to walk again despite the intense pain has been one of the most significant accomplishments of my life.

I'm thrilled to share with you the news that I'll be entering the ring again on March 5 to announce the world championship fight in San Diego. Going through the ropes - as physically challenging as it will be - will mean more to me than you can imagine.

I love you all . . . From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

looking forward to this, prefer it to estrada-roman 3

got a feeling that jcm, despite moving up , will just prove too strong and fresh in the end

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Feb 2022, 06:46 looking forward to this, prefer it to estrada-roman 3

got a feeling that jcm, despite moving up , will just prove too strong and fresh in the end

I’m buzzing for this. I think JCM will be fairly well beat but hope I’m wrong.

beat me to it, I was going to start a

HIGHLY UNOFFICIAL CHOCOLATITO SAVES BOXING AGAIN MEGATHREAD

i may still do it

Chocolatito saves boxing, y'all.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Feb 2022, 06:46 looking forward to this, prefer it to estrada-roman 3

got a feeling that jcm, despite moving up , will just prove too strong and fresh in the end

i have a funny feeling too. it's Roman's constant tempo vs JCM's more sporadic but mroe violent attacks. Choco's major 'problem' in terms of styles, it seems to me, is against dudes who don't try to match his workrate but look to land more impactful single shots. I do think JCM is capable of hurting Roman with his heavy hands.

I agree it's in some ways an even better style match than Estrada would be, albeit the aggregate in-ring quality won't be as high.

thank fvck for Chocolatito

Can't wait for this! Belter of a match up.

Counter-puncher wrote: ↑28 Feb 2022, 10:06

thank fvck for Chocolatito

Amen.

Think JCM does it. Roman has to get old eventually and JCM, despite moving up, will be naturally stronger I suspect.

It’s got war written all over it either way and I’ll be tuned in.

Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez vs Julio Cesar Martinez weigh-in



9 pm UK time / 4 pm ET

Counter-puncher wrote: ↑28 Feb 2022, 10:04
I was going to start a

HIGHLY UNOFFICIAL CHOCOLATITO SAVES BOXING AGAIN MEGATHREAD

i may still do it

Chocolatito saves boxing, y'all.

I may still