Lester Martinez is daring to be nice and be a pioneer on the identical time.
Not solely has he traded punches and mixtures throughout sparring classes with Terence Crawford, however he’s additionally hoping to be the primary world titleholder from Guatemala.
To proceed on that journey, Martinez should get by former contender Carlos Gongora on Friday evening on the Leisure and Sports activities Enviornment in Washington, DC. The ten-round bout will precede the principle occasion bout between WBA junior light-weight titleholder Lamont Roach and challenger Feargal McCrory.
Each fights will stream reside on the ProBox TV YouTube web page (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
At Thursday’s weigh-in, Martinez weighed in at 167.2 kilos. Gongora got here in at 168.8 kilos.
Martinez (17-0, 15 knockouts) final fought on February 23 in his hometown of Guatemala Metropolis, dropping Ruben Angulo twice en path to a second spherical knockout win. In his earlier struggle on July 12, Martinez dropped Lucas de Abreu a number of occasions earlier than ending issues in spherical 4.
The 28-year-old will face a big step up in opposition in Gongora (22-2, 17 KOs). He burst on the boxing scene in December 2020, knocking out highly-regarded Ali Akhmedov. Gongora would then lose a detailed split-decision to Lerrone Richards and to Christian Mbilli in current fights.
With so much on the road, Martinez understands what a win over Gongora would do for his profession.
“Carlos Gongora is my strongest and most intricate opponent so far,” Martinez instructed The Ring on Tuesday evening. “I knew this was finally going to occur (of going through stronger opposition). He’s a wonderful boxer. He’s fought towards different fighters with extra expertise. We’re very ready (for this struggle).
“This could be one of the crucial essential victories of my profession, to this point, as a result of the fighter I will likely be going through has been to the highest and has been a world champion. I do know he’s a wonderful fighter. So this win would place us within the rankings and draw the eye of huge promoters within the sport.”
During the last a number of months, Martinez has cut up his time coaching in Las Vegas and in Omaha, Nebraska, which is the house of Ring welterweight champion Terence Crawford. Martinez is co-trained by Bryan ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, Esau Dieguez, and ‘Crimson’ Spikes, all who additionally co-train Crawford.
Martinez has additionally just lately sparred Crawford. A photograph on social media just lately went viral of the 2 in a hoop at a fitness center in Las Vegas.
Other than sparring with Crawford, Martinez credit bettering his skill-set with all coaches and the additional time spent within the fitness center, whether or not it’s working the double-end bag or bettering his footwork.
“To be part of Workforce B&B (Sports activities Academy), Workforce Crawford, Coach Esau, Coach Bomac, and the opposite coaches is a good alternative that many in boxing search for,” stated Martinez, who made his professional debut in April 2019, stopping former world titleholder Ricardo Mayorga. “Only a few fighters like me discovered them, and have benefited from, because of God, and we’re going to benefit from it.
“After I first sparred (Crawford) in Las Vegas, we went at it. He loved hitting me with arduous punches, whether or not to the top or wherever. All that will profit me, particularly for future fights. Sparring him was one thing I used to be trying ahead to. I discovered so much as a result of he’s a fighter who’s all the time pondering. You suppose he’ll decide to one thing, and he does one thing else. I discovered so much from him. He’s a spectacular boxer.”
In a rustic that embraces soccer, Martinez hopes to deliver boxing to the forefront. There have been a handful of fighters from Guatemala who have been respectable prospects, however none have had the potential and success, so far, as Martinez.
A win over Gongora would elevate Martinez into contender standing.
“Guatemala is a rustic the place skilled boxing has hardly existed,” stated Martinez. “Now, we need to open extra alternatives. We hope now could be a turning level the place the world sees what goes on and says, ‘That fighter is a world champion from Guatemala and his title is Lester Martinez.’ That’s what we’re preventing for. We need to signify this stunning nation as a result of we love this and have a ardour for the game.
“As a fighter who has progressed together with his profession, there may be the need to face fellow prospects or these within the prime 10. Or prime 5. We’re knocking on the door to struggle them, and even the world champions.”
The 168-pound division is aggressive and Martinez believes he’s amongst the highest fighters. His purpose is to get a world title shot.
“I think about myself to be rapidly, not solely turn into a contender, but in addition a world champion. That is what we put together for. Not solely as a result of we’re right here, but in addition as a result of we are able to (accomplish this purpose). The street is and will likely be troublesome and complex. We’re right here to work arduous. The targets and desires are what’s forward.
“We’re taking steps, little by little.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached at [email protected]
