Last night Lester Martinez won a 12-round unanimous decision over Immanuwel Aleem at Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, California. The victory saw him capture the WBC interim super middleweight title and become the first fighter from Guatemala to win a world title.
Martinez, 19-0-1 (16 KOs), trained by Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, was involved in one of the best fights of last year, when he fought Christian Mbilli to a draw. Now the 30-year-old from Guatemala City, Guatemala holds the interim WBC super-middleweight title, with Mbilli in possession of the outright WBC title. After his major win, BoxingScene explores what could be next for Martinez.
5. Diego Pacheco
Record: 25-0 (18 KOs)
Chance of Happening: 30 percent
Level of Excitement: 5/10
A very interesting match-up. Pacheco is a 6ft 3ins super middleweight who can use his range. Pacheco didn’t look to be at his best against Kevin Lele Sadjo, but won the fight. A bout against Martinez would be a good test for both.
4. Bektemir Melikuziev
Record: 17-1 (11 KOs)
Chance of Happening: 40 percent
Level of Excitement: 5/10
Melikuziev has had an up-and-down career. Once a boogeyman, he was stopped by Gabriel Rosado only to then go on and compile a number of wins, including a solid one over Darius Fulghrum. Yet, a lackluster performance against David Stevens still stands out. Melikuziev has a high world ranking, and the bout would be interesting, given Melikuziev’s power; however, Melikuziev’s inconsistency from fight to fight would give the edge to Martinez. It feels like Melikuziev’s potential and the possibility that he could maximize it would make this interesting.
3. Osleys Iglesias
Record: 14-0 (13 KOs)
Chance of Happening: 50 percent
Level of Excitement: 8/10
Iglesias is a dark-horse pound-for-pound level fighter who fights Pavel Silyagin for the vacant IBF super middleweight title on April 9. It might be presumptuous to assume Iglesias will win the bout, but, if he does, a fight against Martinez would pit two of the most interesting up-and-coming super middleweights against each other. It might not be as sexy a match-up as Christian Mbilli, but it is a darn good alternative.
2. Armando Resendiz-Jaime Munguia winner
Record: Resendiz – 16-2 (11 KOs), Munguia – 45-2 (35 KOs)
Chance of Happening: 60 percent
Level of Excitement: 7/10
The winner of the May 2 pay-per-view co-feature would be a great next choice of Martinez.
Resendiz defeated Caleb Plant in May to become the interim WBA titleholder; he was elevated once Terence Crawford retired. Munguia has been on a wild ride since losing to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Bruno Surace knocked Munguia out, only for him to win the rematch. Yet, Munguia failed a post-fight drug test. Both fighters are brawlers who throw a lot of volume; meaning it would not just be a title fight, it would potentially lead to an exciting bout for Martinez as well.
1. Christian Mbilli
Record: 29-0-1 (24 KOs)
Chance of Happening: 70 percent
Level of Excitement: 10/10
A clear no-brainer. Martinez and Mbilli had one of the best fights of 2025. Now, Mbilli has the outright WBC super-middleweight title, and Martinez holds the interim belt. Let’s see a rematch in a 12-round fight to crown a titleholder. Even if it isn’t as good as the first fight, it will still thrill.
