OFICIALES PARA COMBATE DE CAMPEONATO MUNDIAL OMB “ROCKY” MARTÍNEZ VS. VASYL LOMACHENKO

 Credito: Foto de vk.com/boxnews.com.ua

By Victor Salazar –

New York – For a boxer who is officially taking part in his 7th pro fight, there are a lot of story lines for Vasyl Lomachenko (5-1, 3KOs). On June 11th, he has the opportunity to become a two time two weight division world title should he defeat Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez.

The highly decorated amateur could foresee himself winning titles up to 147 lbs. That would almost certainly pave a way to Canastota and the Boxing Hall of Fame. Those are fights that Lomachenko isn’t particularly focused on but would welcome the praise if so.

“I’m going to be proud to make records in the history book as an athlete its very very important,” Lomachenko told BoxingScene.com. “I never thought about become a hall of fame fighter but If people choose me to be there, it would be an honor.”

True to the form of a fighter, Lomachenko still dawns on his first and only pro loss to Orlando Salido in 2014. In a fight where Salido failed to make weight and rehydrated to a welterweight, the contest saw the Mexican slugger fight his way to a foul-filled twelve round split decision victory.

Salido would then move up to 130-pounds, while Lomachenko pursued his goal of winning a world title at 126 – which he did one fight later with a majority decision win over Gary Russell Jr.

On June 4th at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, Salido will challenge undefeated Francisco Vargas for the WBC super featherweight championship.

Lomachenko plans to sit ringside that night, with the hope that Salido comes through with a big title win. The two-time Olympic gold medal winner hopes to rematch Salido in a year-end unification.

“It gives me a lot of motivation, Lomachenko said. “I’m going to be cheering for Salido to make sure he wins so I can get my revenge.”

www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-root-salido-beat-vargas-then-revenge–104489?print_friendly=1

 Credito Fotos por Ed Mudholland/Top Rank –

Los monarcas mundiales Román “Rocky” Martínez de Puerto Rico, y Vasyl Lomachenko, de Ucrania, se vieron cara a cara por primera vez hoy en ruta a su combate del sábado, 11 de junio, en el Teatro del Madison Square Garden de Nueva York en una trasmisión de HBO.

Martínez (29-2-3, 17 KOs) expondrá su título junior ligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) ante el campeón pluma de la OMB, Lomachenko (5-1, 3 KOs), en el turno estelar del programa que oficializó esta tarde la compañía Top Rank en conferencia de prensa efectuada en La Gran Manzana. La cartelera, que cobrará vida en la víspera de la tradicional Parada Puertorriqueña en Nueva York, tendrá además al clasificado mundial peso ligero Félix “Diamante” Verdejo (21-0, 14 KOs) defendiendo su cetro Latino de la OMB ante el mexicano Juan José “Piquet” Martínez (25-2, 17 KOs) en el choque coestelar.

“Tengo un gran reto con Vasyl Lomachenko el 11 de junio. Sé que es una pelea difícil, pero no imposible y estoy haciendo los ajustes necesarios para propinarle la segunda derrota como profesional a Lomachenko”, dijo Martínez, quien estuvo acompañado por Peter Rivera, vicepresidente de PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP).

El tres veces monarca de la OMB en las 130 libras de Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, peleó en dos ocasiones el año pasado, ambas frente al mexicano Orlando “Siri” Salido, a quien derrotó por decisión unánime en Puerto Rico el 11 de abril para arrebatarle el cetro junior ligero de la entidad y después terminaron en un empate el 12 de septiembre en Las Vegas, reteniendo el cinturón.

Por otro lado, Martínez, quien verá acción por segunda vez en el Madison Square Garden, preguntó al grupo de Lomachenko si aún estaba sobre la mesa la oferta que le había lanzado el ucraniano a Nicholas Walters (a quien se iba a enfrentar) de darle $300,000 de su bolsa si éste lo vencía.

“Si la oferta de $300,000 todavía está yo la acepto”, manifestó Martínez.

Mientras, Lomachenko, natural de Ucrania y dos veces medallista de oro olímpico y doble medallista dorado Mundial como aficionado, también vio acción dos veces el año pasado, venciendo en ambas ocasiones por la vía rápida. En mayo se impuso sobre el puertorriqueño Gamalier Rodríguez en el noveno round y en noviembre derrotó al mexicano Rómulo Koasicha en el décimo asalto.

“Estoy muy contento porque es mi primera pelea estelar y vamos a ganar el título mundial en un segundo peso. Ambos peleamos contra Orlando Salido, él tiene una victoria, yo una derrota, así que estoy preparándome para una gran pelea”, sostuvo Lomachenko.

Entretanto, Verdejo, que peleará por séptima ocasión en su carrera en Nueva York, expresó en inglés que “estoy emocionado de representar a mi gente de Puerto Rico en el ring y porque estaré peleando nuevamente en la semana de la Parada Puertorriqueña”.

En el cartel también estará en acción el medallista de oro olímpico de China, Zou Shiming (7-1, 2 KOs), quien se medirá al húngaro Jozsef Ajtai (15-2, 10 KOs) a 10 asaltos en el peso mosca.

La trasmisión de HBO el 11 de junio comenzará a las 10:00 de la noche con el pleito Verdejo-Martínez, seguido por el encuentro Martínez-Lomachenko.

www.notifightcom/rocky-martinez-y-vasyl-lomachenko-cara-cara-en-nueva-york/

  Por:  Jonathan Gaudier/Prensa OMB –

By Steve Kim –

With Nicholas Walters continuing to waffle on a June 11th showdown against Vasyl Lomachenko (5-1, 3KOs), a new name has emerged to face the left-handed stylist from the Ukraine on this date.

A source has informed BoxingScene.com that current WBO 130-pound titlist  Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez is now in the mix to face Lomachenko, who is interested in moving up in weight and fighting for a major world title.

Martinez does make sense that not only does he hold a major belt but he’s also Puerto Rican and this fight would take place at the Madison Square Garden in New York City – the day before the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

Martinez, a rugged brawler, is coming off a pair of hellacious bouts against Orlando Salido in 2015.

He was initially scheduled to face Miguel Berchelt earlier this month in Mexico, but withdrew with a hand injury. Berchelt went forward, capturing a vacant WBO interim-title with a knockout of George Jupp of the UK.

According to Puerto Rico Best Boxing, who promote Martinez (29-3-2, 17 KO’s), the champion needed to take a break from training for at least four weeks – which gives him more than enough time to be healthy and fully prepared by the June date.

Lomachenko was last seen in November, when he knocked out Romulo Koasicha in the tenth round on the Tim Bradley-Brandon Rios undercard from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

www.boxingscene.com/lomachekos-return-roman-martinez-emerges-possible-foe–102955?print_friendly=1

DORADO, PUERTO RICO- Puerto Rico’s Roman “Rocky” Martinez, World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight champion, is working hard for his first title defense against Mexican Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt, to be held on March 12th at the Poliforum Zamna in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KOs) worked before the media at the Dorado Municipal Gym in Dorado, Puerto Rico, completing a full training session with trainers Raul Torres and Freddy Trinidad.

“I’m always training and when plans changed, there was no fight against (Orlando) Salido and they told me the fight was against Berchelt – there was no problem because I have three or four months of training, and now we are working for Berchelt,” Martinez said. “I am relaxed, because I have traveled to China, Scotland, many places to fight, so we are now going to Mexico. I have the experience and I’m prepared.”

Martinez said he has studied Berchelt (28-1, 25 KOs), ranked #1 by the WBO at 130 pounds, and knows Berchelt is a young and brave fighter, but that he is going to put pressure on him from the first round.

“I know Berchelt is a guy who comes to fight, but I know when I put my hands on him, he will fall. He is a good fighter, but he always fights in Mexico,” said Martinez.

In 2015, Martinez fought twice against Orlando “Siri” Salido, beating him in the first bout by unanimous decision and the second time ended in a draw. Berchelt, meanwhile, won his four fights by KO in 2015.

http://www.boxingscene.com/roman-martinez-confident-drilling-miguel-berchelt-mexico–101644

San Juan.- El presidente de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), Francisco Valcárcel pronosticó una muy buena pelea en el duelo obligatorio en el que el campeón súperpluma de ese organismo, el puertorriqueño Román “Rocky” Martínez expondrá ese título el 12 de marzo próximo en la suroriental ciudad mexicana de Mérida ante su retador oficial, Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt.

En declaraciones en esta ciudad, el jerarca boxístico señaló que el pleito enfrentará a dos distintas corrientes pugilísticas, una la de la experiencia, representada por el tres veces campeón de ese peso, Martínez y la otra, de juventud y potencia del mexicano, apoderado por la empresa Max Boxing, promotora de la velada a celebrarse en el estadio techado Polifórum Zamná, de Mérida, considerado como la catedral del boxeo del sur de México.

En opinión del también jurista puertorriqueño, la que se disputará en Mérida va a ser una buena pelea, pues tiene los ingredientes para ello, porque entre otras cosas, Berchelt no se ha enfrentado aún a un rival de la jerarquía de Martínez, quien, a su vez, tendrá enfrente a un desafiante que viene con todo, con una sensacional campaña que le ha permitido no solo vencer, sino barrer y dejar en la lona a casi toda la oposición que ha enfrentado.

Respecto a las impugnaciones del equipo de Rivera a la designación de Berchelt como su retador obligatorio y a su negativa a participar en la subasta del 12 de enero en Nueva York, donde Max Boxing en sociedad con Zánfer ganaron la subasta para promover el pleito, Valcárcel indicó que ese es ya un capítulo del pasado, pues Martínez y sus apoderados ya aceptaron los términos y el procedimiento realizado e irán a Mérida a defender el título que ya ganaron en tres ocasiones.

En este sentido, el presidente de la OMB garantizó también imparcialidad absoluta de la OMB, toda vez que el organismo tiene su sede en esta nación y Martínez es también boricua.

No hay lugar para ello (la imparcialidad), tenemos reglas, normas y están hechas para respetarse y cumplirse, aseguró Valcárcel, abogado de profesión, cuyo organismo, ajustándose a su reglamento, procedió a la subasta que, una vez ganada por las dos empresas mexicanas, determinó que la pelea tomase rumbo hacia la ciudad Mexicana de Mérida.

Finalmente, la máxima autoridad de la OMB dijo que hasta ahora no tiene confirmada su presencia esa noche en el Polifórum Zamná de Mérida, donde, dependiendo de su agenda, podría estar.

La pelea por el campeonato mundial súperpluma de la OMB será transmitida esa noche por TV Azteca en México y por Being Sports al resto del mundo, desde la capital de la provincia mexicana de Yucatán.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer –

Junior lightweight titlist Roman “Rocky” Martinez and former titleholder Orlando Salido fought two exciting, close fights in 2015 to add another chapter to the great Puerto Rico-versus-Mexico boxing rivalry.

Now they are headed for a third fight in early 2016.

Both fighters and their handlers were at the WBO’s annual convention last week in Orlando, Florida, where the sanctioning body approved a third fight between them.

“There is no doubt in my mind that I won the second fight, but the judges didn’t see it that way,” Salido said. “So I think the only right thing to do is fight a third time to determine who really is the best of the two. It seems that we are made for each other, and the fights are getting better. The first one was good, the second was better and the third will be the best.”

On April on Martinez’s turf in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Martinez, 32, knocked Mexico’s Salido, 34, down twice, and Salido had a point deducted for low blows in an otherwise highly competitive fight. In the end, Martinez won a unanimous decision in a fight of the year candidate and took Salido’s 130-pound world title.

They met in a rematch on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas in the co-feature of the Floyd Mayweather-Andre Berto welterweight world title fight and put on another tremendous show. This time Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KOs) retained the title by split draw in another hellacious battle that most thought Salido (42-13-3, 29 KOs) deserved to win.

“We feel that he should have gotten the win, but it did not happen that way in September,” said Sean Gibbons, who manages Salido. “I am happy that everyone is working on getting this third fight done, especially the champ and his team and that the WBO is good with it. I know we will get it done, and it’s going to be another great war.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/14415/martinez-salido-headed-toward-trilogy-fight

During their annual convention in Orlando, Florida this week the World Boxing Organization approved a third fight between their featherweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez and former two-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido. Martinez and Salido fought twice in 2015 with Martinez winning a close decision at home in Puerto Rico in april and the second time this past September in Las Vegas their action packed rematch was declared a draw.

Both fights will be candidates for fight of the year and both men earned a third battle to settle who really deserves the belt. In their first battle, Martinez knocked down Salido twice in a route to a unanimous decision victory and in the second fight Salido seemingly dominated the fight was only awarded a draw in a fight that many felt he had won.

“There is no doubt in my mind that I won the second fight, but the judges didn’t see that way. So I think the only right thing to do is fight a third time to determine who really is the best of the two,” said Salido who was in Orlando, Florida along with Martinez.

A third fight is been negotiated for the early part of 2016.

“We feel that he should have gotten the win, but it did not happen that way in September. I’m happy that everyone is working on getting this third fight done, especially the champ and his team and that the WBO is good with it. I know we’ll get it done and it’s going to be another great war,” said Sean Gibbons, Salido’s manager.

The Martinez-Salido rivalry is already being compared to others great rivalry’s in boxing like Israel Vazquez-Rafael Martez and Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward.

“It seems that we are made for each other and the fights are getting better. The first one was good, the second was better and the third will be the best,” said Salido.

And of course it’s Mexico vs Puerto Rico, and in boxing there is nothing better.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/wbo-clears-way-for-martinez-salido-iii-311808

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside- 

Credit:  Photos: Esther Lin/Showtime  –

In the best fight of the night, WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KOs) retained his title with a controversial twelve round draw against four-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-3, 29 KOs). The bout was a rematch of their fight of the year candidate fight from earlier this year, won by Martinez. This fight was even better.

Salido came out aggressively, applying intense pressure to Martinez. Salido dropped Martinez in round three, then Martinez floored Salido in the same round. As the bout progressed, Salido’s pressure was relentless. In the late rounds, Salido’s bodywork had paid dividends as Martinez’ movement was greatly curtailed. It was a war until the final bell. Scores were 115-113 Martinez, 115-113 Salido, 114-114 , despite the fact that Salido outworked and outlanded Martinez by a significant margin. Download 4K movies http://4k-hd.club

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/mayweather-berto-undercard-results-304876

By Dan Ambrose: WBO super featherweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) plans on taking the fight to #3 WBO challenger Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs) this Saturday night in their rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Martinez, 32, had a great deal of success in slugging with the 34-year-old Salido in their fight last April in beating him by a 12 round unanimous decision by the scores of 114-111, 115-110 and 116-109.

Martinez knocked Salido down in the 3rd and 5th rounds. Salido also had a point deducted for throwing a low blow in the 11th. Without the knockdowns and the point deduction, Martinez would have clearly lost the fight. He definitely struggled in many of the rounds from the pressure from Salido, but the knockdowns saved his hide.

“Everyone saw that the first fight against Salido was a true war. This time around, I’m planning to give my fans the same type of fight,” Martinez said, via ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael. “I predict a nonstop action slugfest.”

It’s definitely in Martinez’s best interest to try and turn the fight into a war from the 1st round on, because if he can get another knockdown or two in the first six rounds of the contest, it might be enough for him to cruise the rest of the way.

Salido is a slow starter, and that’s when Martinez has the chance to drop him and build a commanding lead that puts him well behind. Salido is good at rallying from behind, but not when he’s as far behind as he was against Martinez last April. That was simply too far behind for him to be able to come back from.

Salido needs to be cautious in the first five rounds of the contest by keeping his chin tucked, and not taking too many chances. Martinez will be looking to take advantage of every mistake Salido makes in this fight. Martinez is definitely not unbeatable, as we saw in his losses to Mikey Garcia and Ricky Burns in the past.

Martinez looked very flawed in those fights. He had both of them down early in the fights, but once they got up off the canvas, they were able to dominate the action to get the victories. Salido just needs to make certain that he doesn’t get knocked down in the first six rounds because the last thing he needs to do is give Martinez a big lead the second time around.

“I am very happy we are fighting in a neutral territory for our rematch, not in Puerto Rico again,” Salido said. “I was very prepared for the first fight but the referee wouldn’t let me fight my fight. It seemed the referee was talking to me the whole 12 rounds. I was trying to focus only on my opponent, but I couldn’t.”

A loss here for Salido would be his third defeat in his last six fights, and it would be a sure fire sign that he might need to hang up his gloves. Salido can’t afford another loss at this point.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/09/roman-martinez-to-bring-war-to-orlando-salido/

Puerto Rico’s Roman “Rocky” Martinez and Mexico’s Orlando Salido are no strangers to action-packed fights, so when they squared off on April 11 in San Juan, it came as no surprise that they waged a fight of the year candidate.

It was a slugfest from the start. Martinez scored two knockdowns and Salido lost a point for a low blow in the 11th round of a terrific fight. In the end, Martinez held off a late push from Salido and was awarded a unanimous decision — 116-109, 115-110 and 114-111 — to claim a junior lightweight world title for the third time.

It was the kind of fight for which a rematch was a natural, and that is exactly what is happening. But instead of taking place in Puerto Rico again, or giving Salido a chance for revenge in Mexico, they will take center stage in the co-feature on the undercard of pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather’s welterweight title defense — and supposed career finale — against former two-time welterweight titlist Andre Berto on Saturday night (Showtime PPV, 8 ET) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I am very happy we are fighting in a neutral territory for our rematch, not in Puerto Rico again,” said Salido, who won featherweight world titles three times before claiming a junior lightweight belt last September by knocking out Thailand’s Terdsak Kokietgym in the 11th round of an epic fight of the year candidate that featured seven knockdowns. “I was very prepared for the first fight but the referee wouldn’t let me fight my fight. It seemed the referee was talking to me the whole 12 rounds. I was trying to focus only on my opponent, but I couldn’t.”

Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs), 32, and Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs), 34, both declared before the first fight that it would be memorable and they are at it again heading into the rematch.

“Everyone saw that the first fight against Salido was a true war. This time around, I’m planning to give my fans the same type of fight,” Martinez said. “I predict a nonstop action slugfest.

“I feel the rematch is a very exciting fight for television, the kind fans love. For me, it gives me a chance to leave no doubt in anybody’s mind that I am the champion.”

Said Salido, “Now I know his weaknesses. I am going to attack from the very first moment. I know what to do for the victory. I’m definitely going to regain this title for Mexico. I don’t feel it, I know it. I’m very excited about this fight. This is a very special month for Mexico and in particular because of that, I’m going to get this victory.

“There’s always a very special rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico and I feel it, which is why I so badly want to win this title for Mexico.”

For Salido’s part, he said he is not making any changes. He’ll come to fight hard, as always, and see what happens.

“I’m not going to do much different other than to gain the victory this time,” he said.

And if Salido gets the win to even the score there will, of course, surely be talk of a trilogy.

“If the fans want a third fight after I am victorious then so be it. Let’s make it happen,” Salido said. “But in my mind I’m coming out only thinking about this fight. That is my only focus at the moment. I want to come out and fight an intelligent fight. I know Roman is going to be at his best, but when he steps inside the ring I want to put on a spectacular performance for all the fans and everyone watching on pay-per-view.”

Said Martinez, “I know it’s going to be a great fight and that if the fans want a third fight then I’m willing to oblige, but it will have to be on my point because I’m going to be victorious yet again over Orlando Salido.”

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/13614740/martinez-salido-rematch-headlines-mayweather-berto-undercard

Por:  Jonathan Gaudier –

Credito: Fotos por José Pérez de OMB –

LA ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE BOXEO Y SU EXITOSO PROGRAMA MUNDIAL ‘KIDS DRUG FREE’ LE RINDE HOMENAJE A AL CAMPEÓN JUNIOR LIGERO ROMÁN ‘ROCKY’ MARTÍNEZ DURANTE EL 14TO INVITACIONAL DE ATLETISMO INFANTIL OMB
SAN JUAN, PR- Durante la mañana de hoy, la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) y su exitoso programa mundial ‘Kids Drug Free’ celebró el 14to Invitacional de Atletismo Infantil OMB en la pista del Polideportivo Rebekah Colberg en San Juan, Puerto Rico.

La actividad que cuenta con la participación de sobre 500 niños y niñas entre las edades de 8 a 13 años de sobre 40 clubes de Puerto Rico y el Caribe, sirvió para reconocer y resaltar la figura de Román ‘Rocky’ Martínez como nuevo campeón Junior Ligero y como un sólido ejemplo para la juventud que viene subiendo en el mundo del deporte.

“Para nosotros en la OMB y en nombre de nuestro Presidente, Francisco ‘Paco’ Válcarcel, es un honor poder reconocer y entregarle esta hermosa placa a Rocky Martínez. Gracias campeón por ser un fiel ejemplo de que nada es imposible en esta vida. Sigue hacia delante siendo un digno ejemplo para toda la juventud”, dijo el Tesorero de la OMB, Adolfo ‘Fito’ Flores.

Mientras, el campeón se dirigió a los presentes diciendo que “estoy muy agradecido con la Organización Mundial de Boxeo por todo el apoyo que me han dado y por creer en mí. Siempre estaré apoyando a la juventud y dándole un poco de lo que tengo. A todos estos niños les digo, tienen que creer en ustedes mismos y luchar por sus sueños. Nada es imposible y con dedicación podemos lograr todos nuestros sueños”.
  
Los niños y jóvenes presente participaron de un sorteo de 20 bicicletas, cortesía de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo.

Los contendores mundiales Jonathan ‘Polvo’ Oquendo, McJoe Arroyo y David Quijano, el ex campeón mundial Alfredo ‘El Salsero’ Escalera, la medallista centroamericana y panamericana Kiria Tapia, los entrenadores Raúl ‘Papo’ Torres, José García, Dennis Pantoja y Anthony Otero, al igual que el manejador Orlando Piñero estuvieron presentes en la actividad.

Además de Flores, por parte de la OMB dijeron presente el Asesor Administrativo Manuel Marrero Hueca y el árbitro José Hiram Rivera.

Photos: Mildred Estrada/Office of Representative Angel Rodriguez –

Roman “Rocky” Martinez got this morning his new World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight belt, who won by defeating Orlando “Siri” Salido at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot recently.

Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) received his new title from the WBO president, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel in an activity that took place at the Capitol of Puerto Rico through the Representative Angel “Gary” Rodriguez.

“I am very grateful with PR Best Boxing Promotions and the WBO for this opportunity. I did the work and I won the title for the third time,” Martinez said. ” Thanks also to the Representative (Rodríguez) for this recognition here in the House of Representatives.” 

Martínez became 130-pound WBO monarch for the time after he won an unanimous decision over Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs) in an exciting bout last April 11. The boxer was previously crowned as WBO junior lightweight champion when he beat British Nicky Cook by TKO on March 14, 2009, and then on September 15, 2012, by winning a split decision over Miguel Beltran Jr.
Also in the activity were Martinez’s family, his trainer Raul Torres, Peter and Ivan Rivera of PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP), and from the WBO, Adolfo Flores Monge and Jose Izquierdo.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/rocky-martinez-gets-his-new-wbo-belt-288550/nggallery/page/2

El boricua se convirtió por tercera ocasión en campeón de las 130 libras.

Por Carlos Narvaez /

Crédito:   Fotos por Ivan Ojeda, PRBB /

SAN JUAN – El boricua Román ‘Rocky’ Martínez conquistó el sábado por tercera ocasión en su carrera el cetro de las 130 libras de la Organización Mundial Boxeo (OMB), al vencer por decisión unánime el entonces titular mexicano Orlando ‘Siri’ Salido en un combate lleno de acción desde su asalto de apertura celebrado en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, José Miguel Agrelot.

Los jueces Rocky Young (115-110), José Roberto Torres (114-111) y Levi Martínez (116-109), vieron ganar a Martínez, quien de paso puso freno a una seguidilla de cinco victorias sin derrotas de Salido sobre peleadores puertorriqueños.

Salido fue sacado de la principal arena de Puerto Rico y llevado al Centro Médico de San Juan.

“Súper contento y prometí que venía a hacer historia”, expresó Martínez tras la victoria. “Esto es para Puerto Rico. Sabía que Salido era un guerrero. Lo había dicho desde el principio pero hicimos el trabajo”, agregó.

El ex campeón Juan Manuel ‘Juanma’ López, quien fue vencido en dos ocasiones por Salido, estuvo en primera fila para presenciar el triunfo de Martínez.

‘Siri’ Salido lanzó temprano su primer volado de derecha siendo esquivado de inmediato por Martínez quien ripostó con una combinación lenta de dos golpes al cuerpo en el asalto de apertura.

El campeón buscó trabajar al cuerpo del boricua en esta primera parte

En el segundo, Salido salió como un bólido a intercambiar cuerpo a cuerpo con Martínez con una enorme presión que le dificultó el trabajo al local.

Martínez llevó a Salido a las cuerdas para tratar de tomar control del combate y frenar al experimentado campeón mexicano.

El puertorriqueño invitó al intercambio a Salido en el inicio del tercero, pero Salido le ripostaba con golpes al cuerpo que lo obligaban a retroceder. Martínez lastimó a Salido con una recta de derecha, pero el ‘Siri’ recuperó la marcha.

El boricua le provocó la primera caída a Salido segundos más tarde con un sólido recto de derecha que obligó el primer conteo del referí José Hiram Rivera.

Salido fue amonestado por el árbitro el comienzo del cuarto asalto por lanzar golpes bajos.

La veteranía del peleador de Ciudad Obregón le volvía a dificultar las cosas al puertorriqueño en esta parte. Salido buscó el intercambio corto con Martínez y éste aceptó sin reparos.

En el quinto, Martínez trató de evitar las embestidas clásicas de Salido y lo empezó a trabajarlo a la distancia. Una combinación del boricua tira a la lona a Salido que una vez de pie retoma el intercambio es salvado por la campana.

Ambos púgiles lucen cansados. Especialmente Salido que también está visiblemente lastimado.

Aún así, el ‘Siri’ buscó intercambiar metralla con el isleño y presionó en el sexto.

Martínez acusó haber sido lastimado por Salido en esta parte, pero logró capear el temporal del azteca.

En el séptimo, Salido abrió tirando ‘uppers’ y ganchos de izquierda. Martínez se quejó en varias ocasiones de golpes bajos y cabezazos del mexicano.

Martínez y Salido se enfrascaron en otro gran intercambio al cierre del asalto que dejó el monarca del mundo muy cansado de cara al octavo.

Salido entró a darlo todo. Se planteó como el agresor en éste asalto y al final lo atacó con una combinación de rectos que frenaron al campeón.

En el noveno, Martínez se amarró a Salido para detener su ataque. Pero nuevamente el ‘Siri’ presionó a sus anchas evitando una pelea a la corta y mediana distancia. Un recto de izquierda de Martínez llevó a las cuerdas a Salido. Martínez no detuvo la ofensiva de Salido en la apertura del décimo y eso permitió que el asalto fuera uno brutal durante los tres minutos de duración.

En el undécimo, finalmente, Salido fue amonestado con un punto por lanzar golpes bajos, algo que venía haciendo desde temprano en el combate.

El mexicano cerró sólido el penúltimo asalto y dominó al boricua.

En el duodécimo, Salido salió evidentemente a buscar el nocaut en un combate en el que estaba abajo por un posible mínimo de dos puntos.

Pero Martínez respondió eficazmente con ganchos de izquierda que hicieron retroceder al mexicano, para así finalmente cerrar con la victoria y poner freno a la racha de Salido sobre peleadores boricuas. “Fui campeón me caí y me levanté”, dijo Martínez. ” Y dije que me iba a volver a convertir en campeón y lo logré. Que esto sirva de ejemplo para la juventud”, agregó el boricua que mejoró su marca a 29-2-2 y 17 nocauts.

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/2344634/rocky-martinez-destrona-a-salido

Twitter: @TEAMMIKEYGARCIA
Facebook: FACEBOOK.COM/TOPRANKMIKEYGARCIA
World championship fights: 1-0, 0 KOs…
WBO featherweight world champion…
Former NABF featherweight champion, two successful defenses…
Former NABO featherweight champion, one successful defense…
2005 National PAL Championships (amateur), 132 pounds – Gold Medalist…
2004 National Junior Golden Gloves Championships (amateur), 132 pounds, Cadet Division – Gold Medalist…
At the age of 25, Mikey is a six-year pro. The WBO featherweight world champion, he comes from a strong family boxing tradition – he is the younger brother, by almost 13 years, of former IBF junior lightweight world champion Robert Garcia, who is also his co-manager and co-trainer. Their father and Mikey’s other co-trainer, Eduardo Garcia, was the long-time trainer of retired former IBF and WBA 154-pound world champion Fernando Vargas.
Mature beyond his years, Mikey is considered by many observers to be one of boxing’s top young talents at any weight – he has stayed active in the ring and given sensational performances.
He won the WBO world title with an eight-round technical decision against defending champion Orlando Salido in his last fight on January 19.
After the fight, Dan Rafael wrote on ESPN.com [excerpts]: Most folks figured this fight would be a highly competitive and exciting fight – even though the younger, quicker, sharper Garcia was the favorite to beat Salido. But Garcia was thoroughly dominant.
This was an easy fight to score as Garcia won at least seven of the eight rounds, with a few people giving Salido one round. Garcia was not just winning the rounds, he was doing it easily. Garcia scored four knockdowns in the fight to open a massive lead. He floored Salido twice in the first round. He went down again in the third round from an uppercut and then for the fourth time early in the fourth round from a left hand. Garcia was doing as he pleased and it was impressive that Salido, whose face was bruised and swelling, was able to make it through the eighth round.
But just before the end of the eight round, he crashed his head directly into Garcia’s nose and broke it badly. Garcia was having trouble breathing and his nose was obviously crooked. The ringside doctor examined the nose after the eighth round and told referee Benjy Esteves that Garcia could not continue, and Esteves stopped the fight and sent it to the scorecards for a technical decision.
Garcia, who was masterful in the best performance of his career, was not happy to have the fight end like that. Nonetheless, Garcia fulfilled the expectation that he would win a title when he turned pro in 2006.
For Garcia, this could be the start of a lengthy title reign. [End Rafael item]
Mikey said, “My style is very technical. I’m a counterpuncher. I don’t consider myself to be an aggressive brawler or pressure fighter. I’m very calm and technical in the ring – I fight very smart. I’m not going in for the kill every time. If it happens that I hurt my opponent, then I’ll try to finish him – if I drop my opponent, I’ll try to put him out. But that’s not the main thing that I do. I don’t go out there trying to brawl with anybody. I just try to pick their weak spots and work the best.
“I’m naturally righthanded, but I change to southpaw several times during my fights, just for a few rounds depending on my opponent.
“I’m always training. After my fights, I’m always back in the gym in the next few days. We’re always going to be prepared for any fight, any opponent. We’re always going to be in top shape.”
Mikey was an amateur standout and had a win against Danny Garcia, who currently holds the WBC-WBA super lightweight world titles.
– See more at: http://www.toprank.com/fighters/miguel-garcia#sthash.Sb097fWd.dpuf

Corpus Christi, Texas  —  “TRIPLEHEADER” —  Two-time WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez, and undefeated challenger Mikey Garcia, work out during media day for their upcoming world championship tripleheader fight on Saturday, November 9.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Foreman Boys Promotions, PR Best Boxing, Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Tecate, this world championship tripleheader will also feature 2012 Fighter of the Year and former world champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire ,former two-division world champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan , undefeated former U.S. Olympians — Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan and Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade.

All three fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.  — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-mikey-garcia-roman-martinez-media-workouts–71362

Por Aleudi Rosario Cotto –  La Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) anuncia los oficiales que trabajarán este sábado, 9 de noviembre, en las peleas mundiales, entre Román “Rocky” Martínez y Miguel Ángel “Mikey” García, así como Vanes Martirosyan ante Demetrius Andrade, que se efectuarán en el American Bank Center de Corpus Christi, Texas, en una presentación de Top Rank, que será transmitida por HBO.

El presidente de la OMB, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, informó que para la tercera defensa del monarca junior ligero del organismo, el puertorriqueño Rocky Martínez (27-1-2, 16 KOs) ante el primer retador y ex campeón pluma de la OMB, el estadounidense Mikey García (32-0, 27 KOs), el árbitro será Laurence Cole.

Mientras, los jueces que oficiarán el pleito Martínez-García serán Oren Shellemberger y David LaCobucci, ambos de Texas, y Levi Martínez de Nuevo México. El supervisor de la OMB para este encuentro será Richard De Cuir.

Por otro lado, los invictos Vanes Martirosyan (33-0-1, 21 KOs) y Demetrius Andrade (19-0, 13 KOs), primero y segundo clasificado, respectivamente, disputarán el vacante cetro junior mediano de la OMB, y para esta pelea el árbitro será John Schorle.

Los jueces para la reyerta entre el armenio Martirosyan y el estadounidense Andrade los texanos Don Griffin, Jesse Reyes y Javier Álvarez. El supervisor de la OMB para esta pelea será Rolando Marcos Hermoso.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/OMB_anuncia_oficiales_para_este_s_bado.php

Photos: PR Best Promotions

World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight champion, Roman “Rocky” Martinez ended today his training camp in Puerto Rico weighing 132 3/4 pounds one week before his third title defense against the former WBO featherweight champion Miguel Angel “Mikey” Garcia on November 9 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, in a Top Rank presentation to be broadcasted on HBO.

Martinez (27-1-2, 16 KOs), who is going to defend his 130 pounds title for the third time against Garcia (32-0, 27 KOs), worked today for the Puerto Rican media at the Dorado Municipal Gym in Dorado with his trainers Raul “Papo” Torres and Freddy Trinidad. The Vega Baja native did some rounds of pads with Trinidad, then he worked with the punching bag and jumping the rope.

“I’m good at this weight and very happy with the training camp for this fight against Mikey Garcia”, Martinez said after the workout when he step up to the scale and weighed in 132 3/4 pounds. “We have worked hard for this fight and I feel so good and in great shape, just waiting for the day of the fight.”

Martinez, who come off a win over Diego Magdaleno on April in China, will travel to Corpus Christi, Texas, this Monday, November 4, in the morning for his final days of training there.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/roman-rocky-martinez-update-230097

Photo: Chris Farina / Top Rank –

Undefeated former WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia poses at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy Tuesday in preparation for his upcoming world championship fight against two-time WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Saturday, November 9 from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/mikey-garcia-update-3-230031

Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios talks with undefeated former WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia and Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy Tuesday. Rios is preparing for his upcoming mega fight against superstar Manny Pacquiao at The Venetian Macao Resort in Macau, China which will be televised live in the US, Saturday, Nov. 23, 9pm ET/6pm PT on HBO Pay-Per-View. Rios will hold his only U.S. media workout this Thursday, October 31, at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, beginning at Noon PT. Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

Garcia takes on two-time WBO junior lightweight champion ROMAN “Rocky” MARTINEZ while Donaire battles Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan, Saturday, November 9 from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-rios-donaire-garcia-preparing-bouts–71124

El presidente de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo, Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, se manifestó en su cuenta de twitter sobre la posibilidad de que el campeón mundial súper pluma del organismo, el boricua Román “Rocky” Martínez no realice su próxima pelea ante el invicto Mikey García.

“Rocky Martínez tiene que hacer su pelea mandatoria vs Mikey García a más tardar en Octubre. De no haber acuerdo, se ordenará una subasta”, publicó su cuenta oficial de twitter el presidente del organismo, @PacoValcarcel.

En los últimos días, circuló la posibilidad de que Martínez buscara una pelea unificatoria contra el monarca FIB, Argenis Méndez o frente al cotizado cubano Yuriorkis Gamboa.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/OMB_ordena_que_Rocky_se_mida_a_Garc_a.php

El puertorriqueño Román “Rocky” Martínez, campeón júnior ligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), viajará hoy hacia Nueva York para arriesgar por primera ocasión el cinturón de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) que conquistó en septiembre pasado contra el mexicano Juan Carlos Burgos.

El duelo será uno de los combates principales del primer gran cartel de 2013, que se llevará a cabo en el Teatro del Madison Square Garden y que será transmitido por la telecadena HBO en una presentación de Top Rank.

Martínez (26-1-1, 16 KO) hará la travesía acompañado por los entrenadores Raúl “Papo” Torres, Freddie Trinidad y el vicepresidente de PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP), Peter Rivera.

“Ya lo que nos resta es hacer el peso, que estamos cerca, y la recuperación”, indicó Torres, afirmando que concluyeron los guanteos la pasada semana con un total de 115 asaltos para este compromiso con Burgos.

El boricua, que ya había ostentado este cinturón entre 2009 y 2010, lo ganó por segunda ocasión al imponerse por decisión dividida sobre Miguel Beltrán Jr.

Burgos (30-1, 19 KO) es el primer clasificado de la OMB en las 130 libras, cuya derrota fue en su única oportunidad titular frente al japonés Hozumi Hasegawa por el cetro peso pluma del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (CMB).

http://www.primerahora.com/romanrockymartinezcaminoadefender-762317.html

LOS ÁNGELES — El próximo sábado 19 de enero en el legendario Madison Square Garden de Nueva York, el campeón mundial súper pluma de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), el puertorriqueño Román “Rocky” Martínez (26-1-1, 16 KO) expondrá su título por primera vez en su segunda etapa como soberano de las 130 libras ante el retador obligatorio, el mexicano Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1, 20 KO).

El monarca boricua está sumamente motivado para este combate por varias razones, una de ellas es que su retador es mexicano, y como todos sabemos el pique deportivo que hay entre aztecas y boricuas en el deportes de los puños eleva estos combates. La otra razón es que por primera vez peleará en la catedral mundial del boxeo, el Madison Square Garden, en donde el apoyo será unánime para él, y la tercera razón, es que él es el único campeón mundial nacido en la isla en estos momentos, y según nos dijo, esa responsabilidad le gusta.

Martinez habló en exclusiva para ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com de esta pelea ante Burgos y lo notamos muy seguro de sí mismo, y con la moral por las nubes.

“Yo soy el campeón, y Burgos tiene que venir a pelear. S quiere ganarse mi título tiene que venir a pelear, a fajarse conmigo desde el primer asalto hasta el doce para poderme quitar este título”, dijo un motivado Martinez antes de meterse a la sala de entrenamientos.

Martínez dijo que ha escogido muy bien a sus sparring para su preparación, y uno de ellos es el ex olímpico boricua Félix Verdejo, que también tomara parte de la velada del 19 de enero. Martinez dijo que esta preparación ha sido muy distinta a la que hizo para su anterior combate con el también mexicano Miguel Beltrán, y aseguró que para la pelea con Burgos llega con buen ritmo.

Sobre el hecho de ser el único campeón mundial boricua de la actualidad, Martínez dijo estar consciente de esa responsabilidad de no quedarle mal a su gente, y dijo también que espera que este año 2013 sea mucho mejor para el boxeo puertorriqueño, y que se logren más campeonatos universales para la isla, y volver al sitial que le corresponde en este deporte.

La batalla entre Martínez y Burgos será el respaldo principal de la contienda por el cetro mundial pluma de la misma entidad (OMB) entre el titular mexicano Orlando “Siri” Salido y el mexicano estadounidense Miguel Angel “Mikey” García.

Y ya que hablamos de la pelea de Salido ante García, uno de los espectadores que estará en ringside mirando muy de cerca este combate será el puertorriqueño Orlando Cruz, pues se dice que el ganador de esa pelea estaría obligado a exponer su cetro ante él en este año.

Por Miguel Angel Cebreros

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1698087&s=box&type=column