SPORTSCLOPEDIA 59: WHO IS FERNANDO DANIEL MARTINEZ?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Jun 2023
Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (18-1, 12 KO's) lost by 11th round TKO in his attempt for the world title when he was stopped by the reigning IBF superflyweight world champion Fernando Daniel "Pumita" Martinez (16-0, 9 KO's), the Argentine fighter who dethroned "Pretty Boy" Jerwin Ancajas and defeated him twice. The fight happened on Saturday night (Sunday morning Philippine time) at The Armory in Minneapolis. Minnesota.
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Martinez, age 31 of Avellaneda, Argentina competed in the men's flyweight event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He challenged the reigning IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas on February 26, 2022, in Ancajas' tenth title defense. Despite his underdog tag, Martínez seized the title by unanimous decision with the scores 117–111 118–110, and 118-110. Martínez landed 427 out of 1,046 total punches thrown, while Ancajas landed 192 out of 816 total punches.
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According to Premier Boxing Champions, Fernando Martinez's father had one wish before he passed away in 2016, for his son to be a world champion. Six years later his wish came true.
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Martínez faced Jerwin Ancajas in an immediate rematch in his first title defense, which took place on October 8, 2022, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. He retained the title by unanimous decision, with scores of 118–110, 118-110 and 119–109.
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Martínez has now fought 16 bouts for a total of 103 rounds. He's knockout rate has increased to 56.25% with his KO victory over Bornea. The orthodox fighter is residing in Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina. He is relatively short at 5′ 2″ (157cm) with a reach of 64″ (163cm).
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Defeating Bornea, Martínez not only retained his title for himself, but also for his country Argentina. He is the only boxing champion that Argentina has at present. Argentina in the history of boxing has been a Latin American boxing power only surpassed by Mexico and Puerto Rico.
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According to uk.jugomobile.com, even if Martinez enjoys being a champion, he feels that he is not earning the purses that he deserves as a titleholder. In the rematch against Ancajas, being the defending champion, Pumita won a purse of $75,000 according to the California Athletic Commission. Ancajas earned a purse of $100,000.
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In January, Team Martínez and Team Bornea were not satisfied with the amount that was being offered in the agreements. The fight went to pursue bid and TGB Promotions won the rights to the lawsuit for just $25,000.
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In March on his social media, Martinez announced the lawsuit he filed with Bornea, as he showed his indignation at the amount of money he was going to win. Months passed after his protest, Martínez is still discontented with his purse for the fight against Bornea. He believes that the boxing promoters look down on the “little weight” fighters.
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He thinks that for him to earn the big money, he has to continue to excite atop the ring and he has to unify the belts against the other champions. The other superflyweight champions are Juan Francisco Estrada (WBC) and Junto Nakatani (WBO), and Kazuto Yoka (WBA).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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