Gallo Estrada out due to COVID, JC Martinez steps in
WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez will face Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, California on Saturday March 5, live worldwide on DAZN.
Martinez (18-1 14 KOs) moves up to 115lbs and does so against a legend of the weight in Chocolatito (50-3 41 KOs), with the Mexican stepping in to replace Juan Francisco Estrada, who has been forced out of his trilogy clash with Chocolatito with COVID.
Martinez’s last outing was a trademark all-action shootout with McWilliams Arroyo in New Hampshire in November, with both men hitting the canvas in the opening round and Martinez flooring Arroyo in the second before the contest was stopped with Arroyo suffering a cut.
The exciting Mexican has spoken freely of his desire to move up in weight and challenge himself against the cream of the 115lb scene like Chocolatito and Estrada, and opportunity has knocked loudly for the 26-year-old to announce himself at super-flyweight in San Diego and ‘El Rey’ plans to do so in style against the Nicaraguan star.
“I am thrilled that I am able to move up in weight and fight the very best straight away,” said Martinez. “Chocolatito is a living legend and a fighter I have always admired, so to be fighting him in my first fight at Super-Flyweight is special – but on the night, it’s going to be war and I am ready for it.
“I have ambitions to unify the flyweight division and that flame still burns, but this fight is so huge for me, and I did not hesitate to accept it – I promise the fans that I will put on a show.”
“What a fight!” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Julio has ambitions to become a pound-for-pound star, and this is what the greats do – meet huge challenges head on and take them with both hands. Chocolatito is a modern great and he’s relishing this test against El Rey – I cannot wait for this fight and I’m so happy that both men have signed on the dotted line to deliver this brilliant fight to the fans.”
Wow! Damn that sucks that Estrada is out, but Chocolatito – Martinez is a war on paper. I’m going to go with Gonzalez because he’s more skilled and a big puncher and Martinez has a tendency to block punches with his face, but Martinez is trooper, he can bang and he’s 8 years younger. Would have definitely preferred Estrada, but this may be one of the best subs in recent history.
Spot on!!! What a fantastic matchup! Not gonna pick…. I’m just going to sit back and enjoy!
Wow, has barnburner written all over it. Can the legend take out the young buck, experience over youth
This is the best replacement fighter ever. Good job Matchroom!
As much as I would have loved seeing the rubber match, this fight now will be more exciting because of the relentless straight forward attack that Julio Cesar Martinez brings.
Well this is a good way of turning lemons into lemonade. Good stuff
Gonzalez is a rejuvenated fighter and is relentless in his attacks. Martinez is unorthodox and throws punches from all angles. He also hits very hard, but Chocolatito has seen that before.
It should be an all-out war and I can’t wait to see it. This may be the night Chocolatito shows his age and makes way for the young and hungry lion. I wouldn’t bet against him but I would like to see Martinez make his superflyweight debut with a bang.
I like chocolatito he has treated us with many exciting fights, he came back when a lot of people wrote him off and thought he should retire. Jc Martinez is a total buzzsaw who can go through opponents like melted butter and I think the outcome will be a passing of the torch for the young kid who someday may become a p4 p contender.
That is the way a real boxer should be, not a diva or a pick, duck and choose. Kudos to Roman Gonzalez that is proving once again to be belong a breed almost extinct, the Ali, Robinson, Duran, Leonard, and some other greats that never diminished or backed down just for the name of the opponent.
Martinez vs Gonzalez will be a memorable war, where could be possible see both men visiting the canvas, but I see Gonzalez winning by imposing his power and class KOT 7
I’m not all that happy that coincidently Estrada is out again as he normally fights once a year anyways. And in the meantime they stick Gonzalez in with a young up and coming lion.
Wow!! respect to Martinez for going up in weight without a tune-up fight to face a warrior and natural 115 lb like Chocolatito. Should be a war!!