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Martinez Defends World Title On Canelo Bill
Julio Cesar Martinez will defend his WBC World Flyweight
title against Francisco Rodriguez Jr on the undercard of
Canelo Alvarez’s World title clash with Callum Smith at the
Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday December 19,
live on DAZN in 200+ countries and territories worldwide and
on TV Azteca in Mexico.
Martinez (17-1 13 KOs) puts the famous green and gold strap
on the line for the third time and comes into the bout fresh
from a savage second round KO win over Moises Calleros in
Mexico City in October.
The Mexican talent is quickly becoming a must-watch fighter
with his all-action style guaranteeing excitement and the 25
year old returns to Texas having beaten British challenger
Jay Harris over 12 rounds in Arlington in February.
On a huge night for Mexican boxing with pound-for-pound king
Alvarez back in action, Rodriguez Jr. (33-4-1 24 KOs) will
be aiming to rip the belt from his fellow countryman in his
second World title fight. The 27 year old, ranked #2 in the
WBC, landed the WBC Latino title at Super-Flyweight in his
last outing in November 2019, picking up the 24th KO win of
his career over Jose Maria Cardenas.
“I’m here in San Diego preparing and I’m very excited to be
here,” said Martinez. “I’m completing almost two months of
camp. I’m so honored to be fighting on the undercard of
Saul. I’m going to leave everything to God as always and
have faith that he’ll ensure it all goes well. Hopefully
that night I’ll get a knockout.
“We know that this guy is very strong, that he’s coming very
well prepared. It’s going to be a tough fight but we know as
always we’ve prepared 1000 per cent and we have no fear.
Going to leave everything in the ring. I still have three
kilos to lose but I have two, almost three weeks left to
lose that. I’m excited and anxious.
“I’m appreciative of everything from Mr. Eddie Hearn and
Matchroom for all of their support. I want to also thank
Eddy Reynoso and my trainer Mauricio Aceves who are always
so attentive as well as my family. “Somos con todos menos
con miedo”. Blessings”
“I want to thank Martínez and his team as well as Matchroom
for giving me this opportunity,” said Rodriguez Jr. “It is a
pleasure to fight in the biggest card of the year. Martinez
is a solid champion and a good fighter but with all due
respect he hasn’t fought someone like me, I been waiting for
this shot for almost five years and it comes at a perfect
timing – I won’t waste it,”
“Julio Cesar Martinez is arguably the most exciting
pound-for-pound fighter in boxing right now and this is the
perfect stage to continue his ride,” said Eddie Hearn. “This
is perhaps the toughest challenge of his career right now
and the fans in Texas can expect a Mexican war for the WBC
World title on December 19.”
Martinez’s clash with Rodriguez is part of a huge night of
action in Texas, topped by Alvarez once against reaching for
greatness, challenging WBA and Ring Magazine World champion
Smith – and more undercard fights will be announced later
this week.
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