No Roman Holiday for Martinez

There is added pressure on Martinez to reverse what has been a bad week for Puerto Rican boxing, with long-reigning champ Ivan Calderon losing to Mexican rival Giovanni Segura on home turf. A fight that might have inadvertently led to Martinez campaigning in Europe in the first place. Perhaps if Martinez’ promotional organization (PR Best) had not spent a healthy sum of money enticing Segura to Puerto Rico, they could have posted a larger purse bid to hold the Martinez-Burns fight on the island nation. Originally, this bout had been scheduled for May or July and slotted for a Puerto Rican venue. However, economics intervened, forcing Martinez to make an optional title defense against lightly regarded Gonzalo Munguia. The result was predictable; Martinez dominated before scoring a fourth-round stoppage. This time out, Martinez will need to show more of his physicality, thudding left hook, and willingness to soak up punishment in order to dish it out.

Martinez, a 27-year-old banger, describes himself plainly but accurately. "I am a real fighter who has a big heart and likes to fight. I never refuse to fight anybody (calling out Robert Guerrero multiple times before Guerrero moved up in weight). I like knockouts but also have great stamina to go 12 rounds. I really like to throw a lot of punches.” The latter is particularly true; he is a hardnosed boxer who comes forward with malice on his mind. In several fights, Martinez’ late-round stamina proved the deciding factor, scoring knockdowns in the final rounds to will himself to victories over Walter Estrada and countryman Daniel Jimenez. The fight against Jimenez was especially savage and voted “Fight of the Year” by the Boxing Commission of Puerto Rico in 2007. The pair was separated by one point on all three scorecards, which Martinez rendered irrelevant with a flurry in the final round that put Jimenez away with a minute remaining. The sort of fight that molds future champions.

Though exciting, sometimes to a fault, it is not prudent to underestimate the intelligence of Martinez in or out of the ring. Martinez had to show brain power before he was allowed to box. His father did not allow Martinez into a gym or to box until his school grades rose above a satisfactory level, which Martinez achieved to further his goals in the ring. Soon after, he was in the gym imitating ring heroes Felix Trinidad and Julio Cesar Chavez. That passion is being passed on to his six-year-old son Luis Antonio, already mimicking his father in the gym. In actuality, Martinez has been preparing for the Burns fight since the beginning of the year, telling writer Anson Wainwright of 15rounds.com, "After the [Munguia] fight, I took two weeks off to vacation with my family. But I already started training for Ricky Burns before the Munguia fight because I knew that in some time in my career we would have to meet. I’ve been studying Burns a long time and I already know the fight plan that we’re going to be implementing so the fight doesn’t go the distance."

Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren has enough confidence in his charge to ante up the extra money to move the fight, after months of negotiations, to Burns’ native Scotland. Warren believes Burns is the man to send Martinez home beltless. “I think he has got the ability to do it. It’s just on the night, Burns being focused, keeping his discipline and he can win the fight. For 12 rounds, mentally, he’s got to stay there for all this time." Warren says this with due respect for the man he saw knock out the last challenger Warren put in front of Martinez. "One thing this guy [Martinez] does, if he hits Burns on the chin, he can knock him out; he’s a big, big puncher. We saw that with Nicky Cook last year. Cook was winning the fight and got very careless and paid the price." Warren worries over the keen instincts of Martinez. “This guy, if he can sense that you switch off, he can clip you and it’s all over. So Burns has got be really spot-on on the night. Go out and keep to his boxing so he can win the title.” Roman Martinez has adopted the nickname of "Rocky", so Ricky Burns hesitantly admits being an admirer of the fictional movie character. “I always watch “Rocky IV” before my fights. It’s the best “Rocky” film of the lot and has a great soundtrack. Rocky was up against it when he fought Ivan Drago in that film and it always gets me psyched up." One issue Burns shares with the “Rocky” character is a lack of respect given by bookies (a 3-1 underdog) and even with some hometown fans. "I read people on various websites and fans’ forums writing me off and saying he’ll embarrass me in front of my own fans. All it does is spur me on to prove them wrong. They are all entitled to their opinion- the same as the bookies are- but I have never once been embarrassed in the ring in my amateur and professional careers." The lanky Scotsman (5’10" tall) is a realist. "I know that by fighting Roman, I am stepping up to world-class; I admit that. You just have to look at his record. He is a great boxer and a big puncher." The challenger even believes his own advantage comes from Martinez’ fearsome reputation. "He gives me the fear factor and that will give me the edge. The better the opponent, the better I box."

This is not Martinez’ first trip to the United Kingdom; it is where he won the title last March by knocking out Englishman Nicky Cook. Truth be told, most Scotsmen applauded the Martinez victory, given Scotland’s sporting rivalry with England. In the build-up for this fight, Martinez displayed more concern for the weather than his opponent. "The wind and rain could be the biggest threat to me. I’m not worried about Burns but I am concerned about the temperature in Scotland." Martinez has a confidence born of overcoming this logistical hurdle before. "I was once there; I acclimatize well and we are in perfect condition, so I do not think it affects me much to arrive a week before." The champion even has fond memories of Great Britain, aside from the fight, noting the generous nature of the hosts to Anson Wainwright of 15.rounds.com. "I loved Britain. The people there are gentle and treated me with a lot of respect. I’m looking forward to going back."

That hard-earned respect was forged by the way Martinez overcame early difficulties before dispatching Cook the last time he visited England. Cook had the better of the action early, controlling distance with an accurate jab and good lateral movement. In the second round, Cook rocked Martinez with a left hook, forcing Martinez to cover up and survive the remaining seconds of the round. The pair then dragged each other into the trenches, where both men landed thudding body blows. The momentum was dramatically and permanently reversed in the fourth round when Martinez scored a knockdown. The fact that Cook was able to make it to his feet spoke to a fervent dedication to pre-fight conditioning. Martinez followed up with a hook that left Cook nearly unconscious along the ropes and in need of rescue by referee Dave Parris. It was an emphatic way for Martinez to earn a world title belt and one his supporters wish was screened outside of Europe. Highlights alone did not do the new champion justice.

Any fighter who travels to the hometown of an opponent has valid concerns about judging. However, Martinez does not feel the judges will have an opportunity to affect the outcome. "I know that it is difficult to win a decision in any opponent’s house but I have no problems going to Glasgow. I am ready to go there and return with my title. I think I will win the fight by knockout." Martinez is confident enough in his preparation to reveal his strategy before the opening bell, telling Boxingscene.com. "I will be working to the body in the early rounds, to try and wear him down before I stop him." Martinez expanded on the basics of his game plan. "I watched some tape and I see that he is a mover. I need to cut the ring off and go to the body early. I know he is a great mover. He moves a lot but to be a great champion, you have to stop moving around and stand and fight. You can’t win a fight running."

While focused on the task at hand, Martinez can’t help but look further into his future. "After this fight, if everything goes well, then I would love to unify titles with Jorge Solis. I want to unify titles at 130 pounds and then I want to sit down with my team and think about what the next big fight is out there for me." No potential options seem out of the realm of possibilities for the young champion with a laundry list of unchecked accomplishments. "We’re open to any title opportunity at 135 pounds as well." At HBO, tested lightweights like Juan Manuel Marquez, Michael Katsidis, and Roberto Guerrero await. A win over any one of those men would make Roman Martinez a two division titlist and someone I would no longer feel a need to describe as a boxer deserving of more acclaim.

You can contact Marty at mmulcahey@elpasotel.net or visit him at www.facebook.com/fivedogs