Julio Cesar Martinez made a successful second defence of his WBC Flyweight title, as he stopped Joel Cordova in six rounds at Arena Alcalde in Guadalajara, Mexico.
It wasn’t the usual dominant display from Martinez, but he got the job done after overcoming a slow start in which Cordova arguably had the better of the first four sessions.
The challenger was making ‘El Rey’ miss, as he weaved in and out of the champion’s attacks, using his height to his advantage. After his early success, Cordova was caught by a heavy left hand in the fifth that clearly stunned him, whilst Martinez unloaded several other power punches in a torrid frame for ‘El Trino’.
The end came just one round later, with a left hook followed by a right hand decking the 26-year-old. He bravely rose, but a follow up assault left the referee no option but to jump in to call a halt to the action.
Martinez acknowledged his former sparring partner and opponent after the fight, as plans for unification matches and high profile pairings in higher weights were put in place by his promoter, Eddie Hearn.
“I believe he is a superstar,” said Hearn.
“Next, we’ll look to unify, and then, [Juan Francisco] Estrada, Chocolatito [Roman Gonzalez] and [Carlos] Cuadras.”
“I am grateful with the team and we’re aiming to stay at Flyweight and unify the titles,” said Martinez.
“I am so happy my family and my fans are here in Mexico for me and to support me this evening.
“He was as tough as I expected, a great fighter and we’re all here to win, so all respect to him. Now I want to unify next.”
Las mejores peleas del mundo 🔥 https://t.co/ENu3bpz0Y9
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) June 27, 2021
Undercard Results
Daniel Matellon defended his interim WBA Light Flyweight title, as he took a close decision win over Jose Argumedo. Two scores of 115-113, and a third at 117-111, gave the Cuban based in Panama the victory.
Christian Gomez scored a ninth round knockout against Jorge Sanchez in their meeting at Welterweight, while at Super Middleweight, Diego Pacheco halted Jesus Moroyoqui in six.
IBF Intercontinental Super Lightweight champion Gabriel Valenzuela, last seen impressively defeating Robbie Davies Jr, ticked over with a seventh round stoppage win against Juan Ocura.
