An ambitious fighter faces off against a legend Saturday when Julio Cesar Martinez meets Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez at Pechanga Arena San Diego.
Juan Francisco Estrada initially had been set for the bout, with Super-Flyweight titles on the line, but COVID-19 forced him to withdraw. That would have been their third clash after a rematch in a year ago in which Estrada edged out Gonzalez in Dallas in a split decision.
Martinez (18-1, 14 KOs), who trains in San Diego, according to ESPN, moves up to fight at 115 pounds against a giant at that weight in Gonzalez (50-3, 41 KOs).
Martinez last fought McWilliams Arroyo in New Hampshire in November, with both men hitting the canvas in the opening round. He took Arroyo down again in the second round before the contest was stopped and declared a no contest when Arroyo suffered a cut.
Martinez, 26, from Mexico, has spoken freely of his desire to move up in weight. Gonzalez, 34, from Nicaragua, had been set to attempt to become a three-time champion at Super-Flyweight until Estrada had to back out.
The undercard includes:
- Mauricio Lara against Emilio Sanchez
- Angel Fierro defending his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Juan Carlos Burgos
- Diego Pacheco facing Genc Pllana.
Tickets start at $60. The fights begin at 3 p.m.