Super middleweight Lester Martinez is emerging as a top contender in the division, though he has yet to secure a title or the accolades to solidify his place.
Martinez will face his toughest opponent to date, Joeshon James, in a 10-round main event on Wednesday as part of ProBox TV’s Wednesday Night Fights from the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Fla..
Martinez (18-0, 15 KOs) began his professional career in April 2019, following a notable amateur victory over Cuban gold medalist Arlen Lopez in international competition in 2018. He built his record largely in Mexico, with two fights in his native Guatemala, before making his U.S. debut in 2022 with a unanimous decision win over Rodolfo Gomez Jr. That win set the stage for his first significant victory.
Isaiah Steen, TKO 8, April 10, 2023, Westgate Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Martinez’s breakthrough came against Isaiah Steen, half-brother of U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell, a fighter who had been promoted by DiBella Entertainment. Despite having less professional experience, Martinez secured a convincing eighth-round TKO, marking his arrival on the regional circuit and attracting attention as a potential world title contender.
Lucas de Abreu, KO 4, ProBox TV Events Center, Plant City, Fla., July 12, 2023
Martinez made his ProBox TV debut with a fourth-round knockout of veteran Lucas de Abreu. Although Abreu had suffered an eighth-round stoppage loss to Diego Pacheco and was on a two-fight losing streak, he had put up a strong performance against undefeated middleweight Darrelle Valsaint. Martinez dominated the bout, earning a stoppage and setting the stage for a step up in competition.
Carlos Gongora, UD 10, ProBox TV Events Center, Plant City, Fla., June 28, 2024
Martinez’s most significant win to date came in 2024 when he defeated Carlos Gongora by unanimous decision. Gongora, known for knocking out undefeated super middleweight Ali Akhmedov and narrowly losing a split decision to Lerrone Richards, represented a solid veteran challenge. Though Gongora has gone 2-2 in his last four fights, Martinez’s victory solidified his standing as a legitimate contender in the super middleweight division.
Gongora, ranked among the top 10 by many, provided Martinez with the kind of test that propels fighters into the conversation for world title contention. In a division dominated by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who holds three of the four major titles, contenders like Martinez, Christian Mbilli, and Vladimir Shishkin have been waiting for a chance to break through.
Martinez enters Wednesday’s bout as a heavy favorite, guided by head trainer Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, who also trains Terence Crawford, Keyshawn Davis, and Troy Isley. While James will be facing his fifth undefeated fighter, Martinez has proven himself with recent wins and has the experience to handle the pressure.
A victory for Martinez would further cement his place in the division, where he is currently ranked No. 3 by the WBA and No. 10 by the WBC. A statement win could propel him even higher in the rankings and position him for future title opportunities.
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