Fernando “Puma” Martínez, the only Argentine boxing world champion today, retained the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight title winning by points, unanimouslyto the Filipino Jerwin Ancajas, from whom he had snatched that crown last February.
The triumph of the undefeated 31-year-old from Buenos Aires at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, It was bigger than the first and was reflected by the juries with the following papers: 118-110 (Tiffany Clinton), 119-109 (Ellis Johnson) and 118-110 (Zachary Young).
Martínez had dethroned the Filipino in a big fight held in Las Vegas on February 26, with failures 118-110 (two) and 117-111.
“El Pumita”, the only Argentine world champion after the defeat of Brian Castaño, scored a convincing performance in his first world title defensehim, which could be resolved by KO in the second half of the fight.
With better physical preparation and greater punch strength, the Argentine He pulled out a champion plate to tackle 115-pound figures like the Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada or the Nicaraguan Román “Chocolatito” González. He was also encouraged to challenge for a unification match with Japan’s Kazuto Ioka (WBO champion) and Texans Jesse Rodríguez (WBC titular) and Joshua Franco (WBA monarch).
“I want to make history and be the unified champion of Argentina. We are all very careful because there is a roaring ‘Puma’ here, “warned potential opponents of him.
Martínez, professional boxer since 2017 and Olympic representative in Rio de Janeiro 2016, has recorded a record of 15 wins (8 before the limit) without draws or losses, with wins in the ring in South Africa (he won the WBC super fly silver title ) and Dubai before its big night in Las Vegas in February this year.
Tempered by a complicated childhood, in which he also resisted violent eviction attempts, Martínez expressed “the dream of saving the family”, completed his second victory over Ancajas. “I continue to struggle to buy my mother’s house and carry it on, with a couple more defenses,” he predicted, despite acknowledging that it is “a small burden and the pay is not very good,” he said.
The 30-year-old Filipino, born and resident of Panabo City, suffered the third loss of his professional record – the second against the Argentine – after amassing 33 wins (22 by KO) and 2 draws.
“He’s a great rival, a great champion,” acknowledged Martinez in the ring, where he was hugged by his promoter, former world champion Marcos “Chino” Maidana.
A “xeneize” fanatic, “Pumita” thanked La Boca’s volunteer firefighters for their support during his preparation: “The truth is that we have been running a terrible campaign,” he said.
“Defending the title is more difficult than winning it for the first time. Now let’s go for all the champions in the category “, he was enthusiastic.
“Puma” Martínez and his endless greetings
The Argentine boxer is the protagonist, with the effervescence of victory in tow hilarious moments after the race. It is that in the interviews that she has given, she has not stopped sending greetings to all her family and friends, through the machete.
“I greet Acero Cali, my girlfriend Micaela and my old man”, were some of the recipients of his messages, until they removed the microphone from his mouth to continue with the sports questions.
Once that requirement was met, Martínez eliminated the sheet in which he had noted the names he wanted to mentionnot to forget anyone, and he insisted, but they cut him again to ask him about the color of his hair.
“It was the idea of a hairdresser friend of my wife. Greetings to my lady’s family… ”, he said to resume his mission, but was answered by another interruption.
Martínez then went to the side of the ring to continue dealing with the press. “Ten years ago Ancajas held the title, we both knew each other and it would have been a terrible fight,” he said.
“I want to fight the great champions and be the unified champion of Argentina,” he insisted. And he took advantage of the fact that they gave him the foot to continue with his greetings: “I had the baker, ‘Mata’, ‘Sonra’, for Irma, the dining room of La Boca …”.
With information from Telam.
IS
Source: Clarin
