LOS ANGELES – So much of boxing is spent in solitude, from the running, conditioning and bag hitting to the moment the fighter stands in that ring alone at the first bell.
The isolation could’ve been more severe in the case of Guatemala’s Lester Martinez, but the fact his global relocation to the Midwest U.S. has been surrounded by a devoted team helps explain why the relentless power puncher stands as the WBC’s unbeaten interim super-middleweight champion.
“Obviously, I miss my friends and family in Guatemala, but B&B Boxing Academy has become my family, too,” Martinez, 30, told BoxingScene as he nears Saturday night’s ProBoxTV main event – a title defense over top-15 ranked Luka Plantic of Croatia – here at USC’s Galen Center.
“It’s a very close-knit family, but to think the best trainer and the best team would have the commitment to me and just me for so many years, says that we are doing something right and I am grateful for all of it.”
Martinez, 20-0-1 (16 KOs), is cornered by the personable former trainer of the year Brian “Bomac” McIntyre and counts unbeaten five-division champion Terence Crawford as a stablemate.
Crawford, of course, retired in December following his monumental September victory over Mexico’s four-division champion Canelo Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, one bout after Martinez fought current WBC 168lbs champion Christian Mbilli to a fight-of-the-year-worthy draw on the card.
The team’s plan was for Martinrez to defeat Mbilli and supplant the retired Crawford as full champion, but the draw instead elevated Mbilli to the belt. The French fighter paused at accepting an immediate rematch with Martinez, and then moved to a lucrative meeting with Alvarez for October 31 in Saudi Arabia.
That’s forced Martinez to remain busy with ranked WBC contenders, as he defeated Immanuwel Aleem by unanimous decision in March, and now takes on No. 4-ranked Plantic, 13-0 (10 KOs).
“I will take the belt back to Croatia,” Plantic told BoxingScene Wednesday after visiting with a group of his countrymen in nearby San Pedro, California. “One punch can change anything in boxing. I have Croatian power in me. He [Martinez] is good, but I will win.”
To that, Martinez said of his training camp, “ “We are ready. We are fucking ready. The camp was very, very good and we’re ready for the bell to ring.”
Crawford, 38, was a major reason for the camp’s success, interrupting his retired life to step foot back in the gym to spar and advise Martinez.
“Of course, he’s retired but it’s not a long time ago. From what I’ve see, he’s stayed in shape, the fool,” Martinez said.
The rich involvement by Crawford at their training center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, reveals the depth of support Martinez possesses.
“It feels so good that even though [Crawford’s] retired, he comes to help me and sparred me,” Martinez said. “That’s such a big, positive name and such a great person, a champion. It feels great to have him help me.
“I’ve known Terence for three years. Always, you learn something watching Terence Crawford when he’s training. Even when he’s not training, you can learn from his lifestyle. His attitude, how he is – with faith”
Beyond that is the direction of McIntyre, a gruff and dedicated student of the sport who demands that his fighters are not only schooled but intent to carry a mindset of superiority into battle.
“Bomac has many jobs in one role,” Martinez said. “He puts a lot of tasks into his work. It’s not just coaching. He’s a friend. He’s a psychologist. He’s a doctor. He can be your father. A lot of things in one person. Having all those personalities in one makes me feel great. By now, I know who Bomac is, and how he trains his fighters. I love you, Bomac.”
Martinez admitted his personal readiness trumps the attention on Plantic. He said he paid cursory attention to the Croatian while preparing for Saturday’s card that marks ProBoxTV’s move to a $5-per-month subscription model.
“Just a couple of videos … we’re going to win and I’m going to regain my title,” Martinez said. “I’m more than confident, more than sure I’m going to win. I always respect fighters. In the ring, he’s going to try to make me respect him, but I’m going to make him respect me, too.”
Martinez aims to revert to his power-punching ways after going the distance in the past two bouts.
“I would’ve liked to win by knockout the last two fights, but sometimes that [decision] is how the fight ends. It doesn’t mean it’s bad for me or my career. That’s helped me to get better this camp,” Martinez said. “Anything can happen in boxing, yes, but we’re very sure we’re going to win.”
ProBoxTV founder Garry Jonas linked Martinez’s fight to a strongly attended Guatemalan festival that Martinez made introductory remarks at Thursday in L.A.
Even Martinez’s simple promotional ads for the fight are generating millions of views, and he admits the thought of fighting for his country and before the 70,000 he entered the Allegiant Stadium ring against Mbilli made him “nervous.
“I felt the pressure,” he said.
But the adoration he experienced by fighting before a capacity crowd in March in the strong Guatemalan pocket of San Bernardino, California, eased the anxiety and warmed him.
“I feel really good visiting my people, because they’re all waiting for this fight, too,” he said. “Thank God, I have a lot of people from Guatemala following me. That means we’re doing everything well. A lot of people are wishing me to get better. I’m thankful for all of them supporting my career. It motivates me a little more.”
The fierceness of his figurative and literal hunger for a measure of greatness that Crawford has tasted was seen when a restaurant server accidentally brought a tray of three pizzas to Martinez during this interview, with about 40 hours to go before Friday’s weigh-in.
“I want it,” Martinez said. “I want everything.”
Victory should leave Martinez first in line for a shot at the Alvarez-Mbilli winner, but there is industry apprehension that neither will accept the challenge given Martinez’s ascent and formidable backing.
“If the fight doesn’t become a reality, we’ll just keep working with ProBox … we now know our value, so we’re not going to be begging,” Martinez said. “If that fight happens, it happens.”
Martinez flatly said “no,” when asked if he’d be surprised if the Alvarez-Mbilli winner kept Martinez shelved.
“Anything can happen. Either way, I’ll fight that winner [within] two or three fights,” he said.
Jonas said another compelling option exists: Alvarez’s countryman and stablemate Jaime Munguia is the WBA super-middleweight champion.
A Munguia-Martinez title fight at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles would be strongly attended.
“I think that fight’s going to happen,” Martinez said. “I wish it would. Being here in L.A., with a lot of [Guatemalans] and Mexicans, that’ll be a big fight: a big fight inside and outside the ring. That fight will need security.
