SAN BERNARDINO, California – There was something appropriate about the clanking sounds of the metal chairs being folded up, the spilled beer being mopped and the cords being unplugged.
Because Lester Martinez is done appearing at rustic, worn boxing venues like the authentic National Orange Show events center here.
After his revealing performance in becoming Guatemala’s first world boxing champion by capturing the WBC interim super-middleweight title Saturday night on ProBoxTV, Martinez, 20-0-1, is bound now for the bright lights of Las Vegas, classic New York nights or a glitzy stop in Los Angeles.
Martinez defeated tough-chinned veteran Immanuwel Aleem by unanimous-decision scores of 120-108, 119-109, 118-108.
By doing so, he put himself in position to be next in line for the winner of mid-September’s WBC 168lbs title fight between new champion Christian Mbilli of Canada and Mexico’s four-division and former undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
The post-fight discussion centered on whether Martinez, 30, should view his victory with a tinge of disappointment for not stopping the 32-year-old Aleem, or if he was best served by improving his work over 12 rounds, knowing a bout with Mbilli or Alvarez is also expected to go the distance.
Mbilli, 29-0-1 (24 KOs), hasn’t been knocked down in 143 pro rounds. Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs), has remained upright over 532 rounds.
“That’s a very good question,” Martinez told BoxingScene. “The test for every fighter is to win by knockout. I understand I have to be cautious with the fighter we had in front of us. I’m a little disappointed, but I’m also happy, because tonight the key was just to get the victory.”
Martinez pummeled Aleem several times with heavy blows. His uppercut was effective. His left hand did damage. And his strength in absorbing some big Aleem shots and sending many more back proved he’s not bending either.
“There’s always a benefit in going the distance. Aleem was game, but I was impressed with how Lester boxed, put rounds in the bank, made sure he won the close rounds … he showed some things in that regard,” Martinez’s ProBoxTV promoter Garry Jonas said. “You can’t knock them all down, so I think it was a good performance.”
Aleem landed lefts impressively, especially in the later rounds, and Martinez trainer Brian “Bomac” McIntyre told BoxingScene in an exclusive interview that he wasn’t completely pleased with the night.
“The kid could’ve done better … I was looking for the stoppage,” McIntyre said. “That’s what I wanted … maybe some of his technique broke down a bit. But I’m happy with the win.”
Claiming victory preserves the pole-position that Martinez owns for the Mbilli-Alvarez winner. The fact that he already went the distance of 10 rounds in September’s WBC fight of the year versus Mbilli is important.
“It’s a good experience. I saw some good shit he was doing in there during the Mbilli fight,” McIntyre said. “I only had to say to him two or three times in the corner to ‘Stay off the ropes, when you get there, turn.’ He was throwing pretty good.
“And he showed growth from that last fight to this one.”
Aleem, the WBC’s No. 14 contender, bit down on the proverbial mouthpiece while taking shots that would’ve flattened lesser men throughout the bout.
“I feel like I’m up for the sport. You don’t want to get hit, but it’s gonna happen,” Aleem told BoxingScene. “When most people get hit, things change, but not for me … .”
Martinez is due to return August 28 as part of the popular Guatemala “El Chapin” festival in Los Angeles, and then he will pursue the full belt versus the Mbilli-Alvarez winner.
Martinez said he would be pleased to both renew acquaintances with Mbilli and test himself against Alvarez.
“It’s important to both win tonight and be ready for what comes afterward … we know we’re going to face better competition, and those are some tough tests still to come,” Martinez said.
The banging of the chairs by the event center’s staff as Martinez spoke brought to mind Jackson Browne’s song, “The Load Out,” about his band moving on to another town.
Like Martinez.
“Now the seats are all empty/let the roadies take the stage/pack it up and tear it down.
“And that was sweet/but I can hear the sound/of slamming doors and folding chairs/that’s a sound [fans] will never know.”
Following the post-fight news conference, McIntyre told BoxingScene he’s not sure either Mbilli or Alvarez want Martinez.
“I think they’re scared,” McIntyre said. “If Canelo saw this tonight, he probably won’t take the fight, and we definitely know Mbilli won’t. I’m pushing for the fight, but I think those guys are chicken shit.”
One thing’s for sure: Those major fight locales that host Alvarez and others need to now make way for Martinez.
