Aalan Martinez Q&A: I have my confidence and a new attitude

BOXING 360

AALAN MARTINEZ  Interview available for distribution You just fought a very tough opponent in Orlando Cruz in your last fight.  What did you learn from that experience? Aalan Martinez: I learned plenty and Cruz showed me a lot of stuff in the ring, but I think the most important lesson was realizing that these opportunities are mine for the taking and no one can get it done but me. I have a better understanding of what it means to 'do it or die trying' and that is something I will use in both the ring and outside of it. This opportunity I have in front of me now, I know a lot of fighters wouldn't have gotten this kind of chance under the circumstances. Now you're facing Charlie Serrano for the vacant WBO Latino Featherweight title.  What are your thoughts going into this fight? Aalan Martinez: I have my confidence and a new attitude in the gym that I plan on taking with me into the ring. My camp is all about preparing me for the tough scenarios, it can get uncomfortable in a fight and the best way to prepare is to duplicate the awkward times you experience in the ring in your training camp. Being prepared does wonders to confidence and with my preparations so on point I'm free to think about the positive aspects of the fight and my thoughts right now are simple, victory. This will be another fight where you'll be fighting on TV.  What's that experience been like? Aalan Martinez: Well if you're asking me if TV affects your game then I have to say it makes you more aware, if that makes sense. It doesn't affect you in a negative or positive manner and it really doesn't have to affect you at all, it's more about how you interpret it. It can be a strong motivation to tighten up your game with all the eyes on you and it can be the thing that makes you freeze in the fight, too timid to let your hands go. I think I have good control over it now and it definitely adds to my fire. Like I said, I'm fortunate to have these opportunities and I have a great team behind me. If you come out victorious, what are you goals moving forward? Aalan Martinez: My immediate goal is to build momentum and that means staying active and getting W's. When I win this fight my only goal will be to get another win. I can't expect to make it to where I want in the sport without paying some dues, but I know how capable I am and I have it in me to fulfill every single one of my goals in boxing. Your promoter Boxing 360 has been keeping you busy.  How many more fights do you want to have in 2013? Aalan Martinez: Those guys are my saviors, they have not only kept their word with everything they've promised me, but they've done things above and beyond the call of duty. If any fighter wants to know abhout Boxing360 well then just look at my career and everything they've done for me. History dictates that I shouldn't have the opportunity I have coming off of a loss, but that's how hard they work and how much they believe in their fighters. I trust my team and I believe that Boxing360 has my best interests in mind, so I would leave it to them. But I can tell you that I want to stay busy and fight as many times as my body will allow. Any last words for the fans? Aalan Martinez: I appreciate all of my fans that have been following me and I want to send a special thank you to all of those fans that reached out to me and helped to pick up my spirits after my last fight. I promise you guys that I won't disappoint and it is those fans that I have had in the back of my mind and I use them for motivation. Make sure you tune into my fight because I am not just going after the win, I want to do it in an entertaining way. Aalan Martinez is promoted by Boxing 360.  For more information on Martinez please visit www.boxing360.com.

AALAN MARTINEZ TO FACE CHARLIE SERRANO FOR VACANT WBO LATINO FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE

May 15, 2013 - On Friday, July 12th Mexican lightweight Aalan Martinez (14-2-1, 10 KOs) will get an opportunity to redeem his last loss in a significant manner when he steps into the ring with featherweight Charlie Serrano (15-3-1, 4 KOs) for the vacant WBO Latino featherweight title.  The 10-round bout will be televised on Telemundo and take place on Serrano's home turf at the A La Carte Event Pavilion, in Tampa, Florida. 

Martinez was unable to capitalize against Orlando Cruz in his last outing, but this upcoming bout is a tremendous opportunity to make up some ground and a win could put him right back in the mix for potentially bigger, more lucrative offers. Martinez is anxious to get in the ring and he plans on taking full advantage of his quick turnaround.

"A fighter is given a predetermined number of opportunities in his career, I know that and I won't take for granted what I have in front of me. No excuses about the past, but I don't live in the past I just learn from it. I'm fortunate enough to have a team behind me and a promoter that believes in my skillset, I believe that my best days are still ahead of me," Martinez said.

Boxing360's Mario Yagobi wasted little time getting his fighter another significant fight and he vows to keep Martinez satisfied in his hunt for boxing's elite.

"Aalan is in his physical prime, but he's still young in boxing years and everyone's learning curve is different. I know how talented Aalan is and I know how quickly he is learning in the ring and in camp. Once his experience catches up with his physical ability he is going to prove to be a dangerous fighter capable of competing at the highest level," Yagobi said.  

The card is promoted by Tuto Zabala's All Star Boxing.  For tickets call (407) 948-9066

Aalan Martinez is promoted by Boxing 360.  For more information on Martinez please visit www.boxing360.com.

AALAN MARTINEZ: "This fight will come down to who wants it more"

 

Interview available for distribution

You are heading into the biggest fight of your life with a ton of implications associated to the fight, how have you prepared mentally and what are your thoughts, concerns, and hopes heading into the fight with Orlando Cruz?

Aalan Martinez: I'm confident in my abilities because I know there is no possible way that my opponent has outworked me. You win a fight in the gym and if that is true then I've already done everything it takes to win this fight. The only time a fighter has concerns is when he knows deep down he hasn't done enough to prepare, but I have no concerns. I hope Cruz doesn't underestimate me because that will be a huge mistake.

Orlando Cruz has a ton of world experience and he is ranked very high, what kind of experience will you bring into the fight and how does your knowledge stack up?

Aalan Martinez: Well, don't forget I have some world experience myself and I've fought some really tough opponents in my career. The difference between me and Cruz as far as knowledge and experience goes is I've learned from every single one of my fights and I've worked hard to improve, especially from my loss. I'm not the same fighter since my last loss, I'm not even the same fighter since my last win. This fight will come down to who wants it more and nobody wants it more than I do.

That's interesting, what things did you learn from your loss and how can it help you in your upcoming bout?

Aalan Martinez: My only loss was to Evgeny Gradovich and he just beat Billy Dib for a lightweight title. Everyone knows how good Gradovich is now, but I've known he was a great fighter because I got firsthand experience. I learned that I must keep working from beginning to end and I have to maintain a smart but active pace. Against Cruz I know I'll have to find the perfect combination of patience and aggressiveness.

So are you prepared to go 12 rounds even though you've never fought past 7 or are you banking on keeping your knockout streak going?

Aalan Martinez: I'm in shape to go 24 rounds. There are things that a fighter gets out of the experience of going 12 rounds, sure, but it can only help you, not hurt you. The only way it can hurt you is if you have only ever prepared for 8 rounds and then you go up to 12, but if you make it a point to keep your body in 12 round shape then you are as prepared as you can be. I don't go out there looking to end the fight early; I just take advantage of what my opponents give me. I have the power to end the fight at any moment.

What would a win do for your career and what kind of opponents will you be looking for if you defeat the highly ranked Cruz?

Aalan Martinez: That's a question for my team, I'm as confident in Boxing 360 as I am in myself. My job is to go in there and handle my business in the ring against Cruz; as long as I do my job then Mario can do his and he can only be effective if I am successful. I'm not going to look past Cruz because that is the  true test, but I would think this fight would put me in a good position considering Cruz is so highly ranked, as you mentioned. 

Aalan Martinez is promoted by Boxing 360.  For more information on Martinez please visit www.boxing360.com.

AALAN MARTINEZ FOCUSED ON DEFEATING CRUZ

March 12, 2013-Mexico's Aalan Martinez (14-1-1, 10 KOs) is a days away from the biggest opportunity of his career and a chance to jump up dramatically in the ranks as he squares off with the WBO's #2 ranked featherweight in the world Orlando Cruz (19-2-1, 9 KOs). The 12 round contest is scheduled to be the main event of a Telemundo telecast, from the Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

The undertone of this fight will be the WBO Latino featherweight title on the line as well as the Puerto Rico-Mexico rivalry, which is one of the richest rivalries in all of boxing. 

However, the most compelling aspect to the fight has to be the fact that you have two fighters putting it all on the line against one another in order to further themselves in a division filled with potentially lucrative payoffs. For Martinez, he has the chance to earn a victory against a highly acclaimed fighter in Cruz, who was a former Olympian.

"I'm so excited; I just want the day to get here already. This is the part of the camp where you take things easy and it's all about the mental preparation. I've played this fight out in my head and considered so many different outcomes, but every single one of them ends with me victorious," Martinez said.

Martinez is very aware of what a win would mean for his career, but he feels that merely winning isn't enough and he is looking to make a statement.

"I'm focused on the task at hand, but my goal isn't just winning the fight. I've prepared my body to outperform myself on every level and this will be my chance to really gain the attention of the entire boxing community. I'll go out there and perform the way I know how; with just one impressive performance I can totally shakeup the landscape of the division," Martinez said.

Mario Yagobi of Boxing 360 is Martinez's promoter and he isn't underestimating the difficult task that awaits Martinez on Saturday night. However, he knows that a win would put his fighter's name in the mix with all the top talent of the featherweight division.

"This will be a coming out party of sorts for Aalan and we are all very proud of what he's been able to do in boxing so far, but I know that he won't be satisfied until he is triumphant on Saturday. This is a difficult challenge and usually the more difficult the challenge the greater the reward and a win over this kind of opponent could lead to some truly interesting fights," Yagobi said. 

Aalan Martinez is promoted by Boxing 360.  For more information on Martinez please visit www.boxing360.com.

AALAN MARTINEZ LOOKING TO TAKE HIS CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL AGAINST ORLANDO CRUZ

February 20, 2013 - Mexico's Aalan Martinez (14-1-1, 10KOs) is preparing for the biggest opportunity of his career, a 12 round fight against the WBO's #2 ranked featherweight in the world Orlando Cruz (19-2-1, 9KOs). The bout will take place on Saturday, March 15th and it will be televised live on Telemundo from the Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

Martinez will enjoy a solid height and reach advantage over Cruz, but the most exciting aspect of this fight is the possibility for fireworks.  This clash should live up to the mantra of styles make fights and these two fighters are capable of producing an action filled affair.

The 2000 Olympian Cruz has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Miguel "Mikey" Garcia and taking this fight with a young lion in Martinez is both admirable and dangerous.  Martinez will hope to capitalize off of his opponent's status and a win could catapult Martinez into the position currently presided over by Cruz.

"This is my chance to really jump start my career in a major way and I'm thankful that my team, my promoter Boxing 360, got me this opportunity.  I'm going to make my family proud and I'm going to put myself into a position to better my life," Martinez said.

This fight will definitely be under the microscope because it has the Mexico-Puerto Rico story-line behind it and that is one of the richest rivalries in all of sports.  Martinez wants to prove he's worthy of this tremendous opportunity.

"As a fighter you're constantly working towards getting to the next level from a physical and mental standpoint," Martinez continued. "Basically, you want to transform yourself into a next level fighter from a performance standpoint and once you do that it's only a matter of opportunity.  I know I'm a next level fighter and I'm so excited to get the chance to prove it, some guys have to wait a long time so I'm going to make sure I take full advantage."

Martinez's promoter, Mario Yagobi of Boxing 360, is confident that the timing is right for his fighter to make that major push towards world success.

"Some guys develop in ways that are more suitable for the big stage, that's just the honest truth.  Aalan has always been a champion of doing the right things and now is the time for all of his hard work to pay off.  This is the best part of my job, getting the chance to see an individual reach the destination of a journey that has been filled with such trials and tribulations. When Aalan pulls off the upset it will be an emotionally overwhelming sight," Yagobi said. 

For information on Aalan Martinez please visit www.boxing360.com.

Aalan Martinez punishes Ramon Valadez, extends KO streak

Photo By Art Gallegos Jr. / STANDNFIGHT.COM

June 25, 2012 - This past Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif., Mexico born super featherweight prospect, Aalan Martinez (13-1-1, 9 KOs), extended his knockout streak, scoring a 7th round TKO against hometown hero, Ramon Valadez (11-2, 6 KOs). This was the 4th knockout in a row for the Boxing 360 promoted fighter, who now looks to fight for a regional title before the end of the year.

"I knew I wasn't going to get a decision against Valadez fighting him in his backyard with his promoter as the lead, Martinez said, "I was determined to get him out of there and that's exactly what I did.  I started to break him down early with hard punches and when I dropped him in the 7th round, I knew he was hurt and wouldn't continue.  They made the right decision by not letting Valadez carry on, because he was only going to take more punishment."

"This was a huge win for Martinez," said Boxing 360 promoter Mario Yagobi. "With this victory, Aalan puts himself in a great position to challenge anyone with a regional title.  I've been in communication with some of the sanctioning organizations and it seems likely that we'll be able to get him a shot before the end of the year."

"I've been working extremely hard in the gym since I suffered my first loss," Martinez continued. "The adjustments my trainer and I have made are making a difference and it's shown in my last four fights, all of which have come by knockout.  My promoter Boxing 360 is telling me to be ready for a big fight.  Hopefully I can reschedule a fight Rances Barthelemy (16-0, 11 KOs), who I was supposed to fight on Shobox last month, but had to pull out because I hurt my hand.  Now that I'm a 100% healthy, I'm ready for anyone."

Aalan Martinez Ready To Shine This Friday Against Valadez

June 21, 2012 - This Friday, June 22, talented, up-and-coming super featherweight prospects Aalan Martinez (12-1-1, 8 KOs) and Ramon Valadez (11-1, 6 KOs) will battle in an eight-round bout at the Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, Calif.  The bout titled "NEW BLOOD" is promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Boxing 360. 

Martinez, who hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico is riding a three-fight winning streak after suffering his first professional loss to undefeated Russian standout, Evgeny Gradovich (13-0, 7 KOs).  With momentum on his side, Martinez looks to continue his winning ways against Valadez.

"After my fight with Gradovich, I made some adjustments in my game," Martinez said. "It's shown in my last few fights as I've been able to end those fights early.  I know Valadez is a good fighter with a lot of heart, but I've took my career to another level. If I get him hurt, I'm going for the kill."

"Aalan is hungry to show the boxing world that he's the real deal," Boxing 360 promoter Mario Yagobi said. "He has a very tough opponent scheduled in Valadez but I feel he has the skills to come out of this fight victorious.  If he wins, then the future is bright for him as I have some big plans on the horizon."

Tickets for "NEW BLOOD" are priced at $75, $45, and $30 and can be purchased by calling 714-935-0900. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. First bell is at 7:30 p.m.  The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 North Vineyard Avenue in Ontario, Calif.

Jhonson Looking to Shine Against Nelson

Some fighters are concerned by an opponent switch, especially in their premium cable debut... not Yudel Jhonson. With original opponent Freddy Hernandez out, Cuba's Johnson (12-0, 8 KOs) will now face Cleveland's formidable Willie "The Great" Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs) on Friday, May 11in the 10-round light middleweight main event of a liveShoBox: The New Generation(11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®, delayed on the West Coast) doubleheadertelecast entitled "Shootout at Texas Station". "Shootout at Texas Station" is presented by Warriors Boxing live from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. In the co-featured bout, undefeated super middleweight Badou Jack "The Ripper" (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden will face Colombia's also undefeated Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs). "I'm ranked in the top 10 and I'm ready for anybody they put in front of me," said a confident Jhonson, via translator. "I had 400 amateur fights and I was one of the best amateur fighters who ever lived. Now I'm ready to make my mark as a professional. I have a lot of experience. I'm a seasoned fighter, ready to fight any top 154 pounders in the world." Hernandez. Nelson. To Jhonson, it matters little. "I don't care who they put in front of me at this point. I've fought tall guys, short guys and every style you will ever see. Willie Nelson is a very good fighter, I've seen him fight, but there's nothing he can do I haven't already seen a hundred times and know exactly what to do with." Jhonson has been training with the great Cuban trainer Ismael Salas for this fight and says the two have perfect chemistry. "I have to shine against Willie Nelson to get to the next level as a pro. I have to put in a performance that people will remember and I'm going to do it. I don't know how the fight will go exactly, but I know I'm going out there to impress. Whatever it takes to impress people, that's how I'll make the fight go. I'm happy to be back on national television again and very happy Showtime gave me this opportunity to fight in a main event on their air." Tickets for "Shootout at Texas Station" are on sale now, priced at $27 and $52 and are available at Ticketmaster, any Texas Station rewards center or atSCLV.COM/CONCERTS. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $102 can be purchased by calling (954) 985-1155. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 and the action starts at 7:00 pm. Station Bucks may be used to purchase tickets. All ages welcome. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Show subject to change without notice. Management reserves all rights. Digital Photography and video prohibited. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Center, The Fiesta's, by logging onto stationcasinos.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel is located at 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Telephone: (702) 631-1000 or (800) 654-8888.

Willie Nelson Steps in to Face Yudel Jhonson ShoBox: The New Generation Telecast to Go Forward as Doubleheader

Photo Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME Cleveland's once-beaten Willie "The Great" Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs) will step in to face Cuba's Yudel Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs) in the 10-round junior middleweight main event of the ShoBox: The New Generation telecast presented by Warriors Boxing, entitled "Shootout at Texas Station", scheduled for Friday, May 11 (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. Original Jhonson opponent, Freddy Hernandez, has been forced to pull out with an injury. In addition, East Los Angeles lightweight Aalan Martinez has also been forced to pull out of his eight-round bout against Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy. Barthelemy (15-0, 11 KOs) will still fight an opponent to be determined but his bout will not be televised. The eight-round co-featured battle of undefeated super middleweights Badou Jack "The Ripper" (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden and Colombia's power-punching Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs) will go on as scheduled. Cleveland, Ohio's 25-year-old Willie "The Great" Nelson (16-0-1, 10 KOs) stands an enormous 6' 3" and has a massive 76-inch reach. Before turning pro at age 18, the quick-fisted southpaw had over 230 fights as an amateur and was ranked #1 in the United States. He is also a former USA and European amateur champion. In January of this year, Nelson rebounded from the only loss of his career (last April via majority decision to Vincent Arroyo) by scoring a TKO 2 over Brad Jackson. Nelson is in shape, as he was originally scheduled to fight May 18 in Missouri. Also a southpaw, Jhonson was the Pan American Junior Champion at light fly in 1998 and the Cuban National Champion at welterweight in 2002 before capturing a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Overall, he went 379-16 in the amateurs while winning numerous titles. The 5-foot-10, 30-year-old Jhonson is coming off a third-round TKO over Eduardo Mercedes last October 15 in the Dominican Republic. "It is unfortunate that Freddy Hernandez got injured," said event promoter Leon Margules. "But in his place steps Willie Nelson, which I think makes the main event an even better, more significant fight on the world stage. This will be a tremendous battle between two young, strong, up-and-coming contenders." Tickets for "Shootout at Texas Station" are on sale now, priced at $27 and $52 and are available at Ticketmaster, any Texas Station rewards center or atSCLV.COM/CONCERTS. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $102 can be purchased by calling (954) 985-1155. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 and the action starts at 7:00 pm. Station Bucks may be used to purchase tickets. All ages welcome. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Show subject to change without notice. Management reserves all rights. Digital Photography and video prohibited. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Center, The Fiesta's, by logging onto stationcasinos.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel is located at 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Telephone: (702) 631-1000 or (800) 654-8888.

NEW FACES LOOK TO MAKE A NAME ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

Five Fighters Will Debut On ShoBox Tripleheader;

Yudel Jhonson Meets Freddy Hernandez; Badou Jack Takes On Alexander Brand;

Rances Barthelemy Battles Aalan Martinez in Telecast’s Opening Bout

Friday, May 11, at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME^®

From Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas

NEW YORK (April 25, 2012) –- Five promising boxers, four of whom are unbeaten, make their debuts on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, May 11, live on SHOWTIME^® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas.

Former Cuban amateur standout and 2004 Olympian, junior middleweight Yudel Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs), and six-time Swedish national champion and 2008 Olympian, super middleweight Badou Jack(10-0, 8 KOs), head up a strong contingent of talented, undefeated newcomers on a telecast that also includes power-punching super middleweight Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs) and skilled lightweight Rances Barthelemy (15-0, 11 KOs).

The southpaw Jhonson, of Miami, Fla., faces former world title challenger Freddy “El Riel’’ Hernandez (30-2, 20 KOs), of Mexico City, in the 10-round junior middleweight main event. Hernandez, who is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over ex-world champion Luis Collazo, will be making his fourth start on ShoBox.  

Unbeaten super middleweights Jack and Brand clash in the eight-round co-feature. Jack, of Las Vegas, by way of Stockholm, Sweden, is a former sparring partner of Floyd Mayweather and Andre Dirrell. Brand, of Bogota, Colombia, is the longest tenured boxer in the history of the Colombian Olympic team with 437 fights as an amateur.

In the opener of a televised tripleheader, Barthelemy, of Havana, Cuba, meets southpaw Aalan Martinez (10-1-1, 6 KOs), of East Los Angeles, via Michoacán, Mexico, in an eight-round lightweight bout.

Jhonson was the Pan American Junior Champion at light fly in 1998 and the Cuban National Champion at welterweight in 2002 before capturing a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Overall, he went 379-16 in the amateurs while winning numerous titles. He turned pro on May 22, 2009, shortly after he’d defected to the United States with fellow Cubans Yordanis Despaigne and Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The 5-foot-10, 30-year-old Jhonson fought four times in 2009, five times in 2010, and three times in 2011. He is coming off a third-round TKO over Eduardo Mercedes last Oct. 15 in the Dominican Republic.

Jhonson registered a career-best seventh-round TKO over Richard Gutierrez on March 25, 2011. The following June 3, Jhonson won a 10-round decision over Jose Torres.

The vastly more experienced Hernandez is 3-0 on ShoBox. Two of the victories came against former world champions in back-to-back fights in 2010 – a fourth-round TKO over Mike Anchondo on Sept. 17 and a fifth-round knockout over DeMarcus “Chop Chop’’ Corley on Feb. 5. In his ShoBox debut on Oct. 23, 2009, Hernandez registered a unanimous 10-round decision over southpaw Damian Frias.

The 5-foot-10, 33-year-old Hernandez, a pro since February 2001, has performed well in three of his last four outings. On Oct. 15, he dropped Collazo in the eighth to win by the score of 96-93 on the three judges’ cards.

Hernandez’ only defeat since losing a split 12-round decision to Golden Johnson on Feb. 25, 2005, came when he stepped way up in class and lost to then-world champ Andre Berto on Nov. 27, 2010.  

In the co-feature, Jack, who trains at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, will be making his sixth consecutive start in the U.S. His initial five fights after turning pro on June 6, 2009, took place in Swedenor Finland.

The 6-foot-1, 28-year-old Jack started boxing at age 18. He went 122-28 as an amateur and represented his father’s country, Gambia, in the Olympics. He is the only boxer to represent Gambia in any Olympic Games.

Regarding his upcoming scrap, Jack said, “Both of us are big punchers. It’s going to be an exciting fight for the crowd. I like to go to the body a lot, that’s one of my biggest weapons. I’ll be ready for him.’’

In Brand’s amateur career, he went 417-20. Brand, 35, turned pro at the age of 32 on Aug. 9, 2009. Campaigning exclusively in Colombia, he won his first 12 professional fights by (T)KO. This will be his second outing in the U.S. In his stateside debut, Brand won a unanimous six-round decision over Terrance Woods on Nov. 20, 2011, in Las Vegas.

Brand, who’s fought twice in 2012, is coming off a fifth-round knockout over Luzimar Gonzaga last March 30, in Cartagena, Colombia.

Barthelemy, 25, is a 5-foot-11 crowd-pleasing puncher-boxer who won his last start with an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over former top amateur star and then-unbeaten pro, Hylon Williams, on Feb. 3, in Las Vegas.

Boxing’s in Barthelemy’s blood. Two of his siblings are also prizefighters -- older brother Yan, the 2004 Olympic Gold medalist at light flyweight, and younger brother, Leduan. Their cousin is longtime pro, Giorbis Barthelemy.

Rances started to box at an early age. "As a child in Cuba, I had a lot of discipline problems in school and I was always getting into fights," he said. “I was diagnosed as being hyperactive. So the school's personnel took it upon themselves to place me in their sports curriculum and I was selected for the boxing program. I’ve been fighting since.’’

Nicknamed “Kid Blast,” the fast-rising Barthelemy had an impressive amateur career, winning the majority of his 200 fights and earning the Cuban junior national championship before defecting to the United States. He turned pro on Aug. 8, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. The confident Cuban scored knockouts in his first 12 fights, but has gone the distance in two of the last three.

Martinez rebounded from the lone defeat of his career to knock out Ronald Rodriguez in the third round last Dec. 16, in Vernon, California.

After the 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Martinez won his pro debut in October 2004, he fought just one time in both 2005 (in September) and 2006 (in April). After three fights in two and a half years, he didn’t fight again for four and a half years. But the southpaw slugger has been much more active since, fighting three times in ’09, four times in 2010, and two times in 2011.

Martinez’ only loss came when he came up short in a competitive matchup against Evgeny Gradovich on  April 29, 2011, in Las Vegas. Martinez lost a six-rounder by the scores of 58-56 and 59-55 twice.

The event is promoted by Warriors Boxing.

Mike Crispino, known for his work on the MSG Network in New York, will call the blow-by-blow action on ShoBox with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. Gordon Hall is the executive producer ofShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.