Former WBC World Flyweight Champion Julio Cesar Martinez (Mexico), with a record of 20 wins (15 KOs), 3 losses, and 3 no contests, returned to the ring on May 31 (June 1 Japan time) in Mexico City after a layoff of about one year and two months. He faced fellow Mexican Gerardo Valenzuela (12 wins, 10 KOs, 4 losses, 1 draw), who was a last-minute replacement announced just 24 hours prior.
At the weigh-in the day before, both fighters came in at 54.8 kg. Valenzuela, who had been preparing to fight a different opponent on the same card, was reportedly in top condition. Martinez, facing the taller Valenzuela, pressed forward as usual, unleashing combinations of left and right hooks, followed by uppercuts from both hands, and delivering a powerful left to the body.
Despite being pushed back by Martinez’s aggressive offense, Valenzuela occasionally countered with right straights but struggled under the pressure of Martinez’s energetic attacks. Martinez appeared to be on his way to victory; however, he injured his left arm. In the 8th round, he was unable to continue, and Valenzuela was declared the winner by TKO.
Martinez had previously fought a title defense on March 30 of last year (March 31 Japan time) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas against Angelino Cordova (Venezuela), who was then undefeated with 18 wins (12 KOs), 1 draw, and 1 no contest. After the fight, the Nevada State Athletic Commission revealed that Martinez had tested positive for a diuretic (S5 class) and other masking agents during a doping test. As a result, the Nevada Commission handed him a 9-month suspension.
Additionally, until December 29 (December 30 Japan time), he was banned from participating in any bouts sanctioned by commissions under the ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports) in the United States.
The result of the Cordova bout, in which Martinez had earned a 12-round decision victory, was changed to a no contest. Furthermore, 15% of his $75,000 fight purse—amounting to $11,250—was imposed as a fine, and he was also required to pay a prosecution fee totaling $157.04.
Julio Cesar Martinez, who vacated his WBC World Flyweight title in pursuit of becoming a two-division world champion, was scheduled to have his second comeback fight on July 12 (July 13 Japan time) at the Juan S. Millán Sports Center in Culiacán, Mexico. He had planned an energetic comeback campaign, but an unexpected injury has now forced a detour.
The 30-year-old Martinez is managed by Eddy Reynoso, who has trained undisputed super middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (Mexico) — 63 wins (39 KOs), 2 losses, 2 draws — since his professional debut. Despite losing his first two professional bouts, Martinez went on to capture a world title.
Since then, his only defeat came on March 5, 2022 (March 6 Japan time), in San Diego, California, during a fight for the WBC Diamond Super Flyweight title. Martinez missed weight by 1.4 pounds and was ruled ineligible to win the title. He lost the bout by unanimous decision to former four-division world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (Nicaragua).
Martinez’s injury could potentially shake things up in the super flyweight division.
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