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Robson Conceicao vs. Xavier Martinez Headlines At The
Hard Rock In Tulsa, OK On Jan. 29
The 2022 junior lightweight world title picture will get a
bit clearer Saturday, Jan. 29 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The 10-round main event — a WBC title eliminator — will see
recent title challenger Robson "O Brabo" Conceição attempt
to turn back hard-charging Sacramento native Xavier Martinez
at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Martinez recently signed a multi-fight pact with Top Rank
and will look to shine in his promotional debut. Conceição-Martinez
and a co-feature will air live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes
(simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Undercard
bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.
“This has all the makings of a special, action-packed main
event,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Conceição nearly
defeated the great Oscar Valdez for the title, while
Martinez is a young kid hoping to make a name in the
130-pound division.”
Conceição (16-1, 8 KOs), from Bahia, Brazil, captured a gold
medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, capping a 400-plus fight
amateur career that included wins over the likes of Cuba’s
Lazaro Alvarez and a razor-thin defeat to Vasiliy Lomachenko
at the 2011 World Championships. After nearly five years as
an unbeaten pro, Conceição challenged WBC world champion
Valdez in September. Conceição built an early lead, but
Valdez rallied late to shade the unanimous decision.
Conceição said, “Nothing can stop me. Nothing can make me
lose focus. I remain firm towards my goal of becoming a
world champion. My last fight was just a minor setback. I'm
going to make sure that all my hard work and sacrifices will
not be in vain.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to be the main event and to
face an undefeated fighter like Xavier Martinez. I'm sure we
will give the fans a great show."
Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs) began boxing at the age of 6 in
Sacramento and compiled an 85-10 amateur record before
turning pro in June 2015. He stepped up in 2019 with
knockout wins over Jessie Cris Rosales and John Vincent
Moralde and survived a gut check versus former interim world
champion Claudio Marrero the following year. Martinez was
knocked down twice in the eighth round, but outboxed Marrero
in the championship rounds to earn a unanimous decision. He
last fought in May and dominated veteran Juan Carlos Burgos
over 10 rounds.
Martinez said, "It was a dream to get a multi-year
promotional deal with Top Rank and a shot to be the main
event on ESPN. This is my chance to show the world I'm one
of the best in the 130-pound division and work towards my
goal of becoming a world champion under the Top Rank
banner.”
"Xavier is positioned to write his destiny, and the stage is
set,” said Rick Mirigian, Martinez’s manager. “He can bring
back the sport to Sacramento in a big way and fulfill his
dream of becoming a world champion. Thank you to Top Rank
for getting this done and believing in Xavier.”
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