By Ian S Palmer
WBC Flyweight Champion Julio Cesar Martinez of Mexico defends his title for the third time this Friday, November 19th when he meets McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico. The 12-rounder from Manchester, New Hampshire was originally scheduled for last February and can be seen live in most nations on DAZN. Martinez last fought in October, 2020 when he stopped Moises Calleros in the second round while Arroyo last boxed in December, 2019 when he stopped Juan Medina after five rounds.
The 26-year-old Martinez stopped former champion Cristofer Rosales in the ninth round in December, 2019 to win the belt and beat Jay Harris by unanimous decision in his first defence three months later before stopping Calleros. In August, 2019 he stopped WBC Champ Charlie Edwards in three rounds but the fight was eventually ruled a no-contest as Martinez landed on Edwards while he had a knee on the canvas. Edwards had beaten Rosales by unanimous decision nine months earlier to win the title.
Martinez, who’s also known as Julio Cesar Martinez Aguilar, hails from Mexico City and carries a record of 17-1 with 13 Kos to his name. He stands 5-feet-2-inches tall and has a 64-inch reach. He has quite a bit of power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 68.4 per cent and posted nine straight stoppages until Harris took him the distance.
He turned pro in 2015 and has boxed just 80 rounds since with his lone defeat being a four-round split decision to Joaquin Cruz in his pro debut. Martinez then avenged the defeat with an eight-round majority decision the next year. He’s also beaten the likes of former world champion Edgar Sosa as well as Martin Tecuapetla, Andrew Selby, Victor Ruiz and Juan Lopez Martinez.
The 35-year-old Arroyo climbs into the ring with a mark of 20-4 with 15 Kos and has won his last three fights. He dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to Kazuto Ioka in September, 2018 for the WBC Silver Super Flyweight Title and was beaten by WBC Flyweight champ Roman Gonzalez by unanimous decision in 2016 and also via split decision by Amnat Ruenroeng in October, 2014. His first pro loss was a four-round unanimous decision to Takashi Okada in June, 2010.
Arroyo had a fine amateur career and has boxed 135 rounds since turning pro in 2010. He stands 5-feet-4-inches tall and has a reach of 64 inches which gives him a two-inch edge in height on Martinez. Arroyo likes to pressure his opponents and also has a good body attack. He has good power with a current knockout ratio of 62.5 per cent but has gone the distance in six of his last eight outings.
Arroyo’s a tough character with a big heart and good chin he seems to fall just short of the mark when he steps up in class. However, he did win the vacant WBC Silver Super Flyweight Title with a 10-round majority decision over Carlos Cuadras in 2018. He’s also beaten the likes of Carlos Buitrago, Carlos Maldonado Victor Ruiz and Luis Maldonado.
Prediction…
I give the crowd-pleasing Martinez the edge in power and aggression while Arroyo has more pro and amateur experience. However, Arroyo is almost a decade older than the champ and his power hasn’t been very noticeable over the past few years. Martinez is expected to eventually wear him down and I”m expecting him to retain his title once again in a pretty entertaining fight.
