Fernando Martinez scores with an uppercut throughout his junior bantamweight title-unification combat in opposition to Kazuto Ioka. (Picture by Naoki Fukuda)
Fernando ‘Puma’ Martinez traded in a single alphabet title for repeat enterprise and the massive payday that comes with it.
The unbeaten Argentinean formally vacated his IBF junior bantamweight title, the sanctioning physique confirmed Friday. Martinez made the choice after he was prompted to make a compulsory title protection versus Willibaldo Garcia.
“On Tuesday, October 29 the IBF acquired notification that Fernando Martinez was vacating his IBF title,” an IBF spokesperson knowledgeable The Ring. “In a letter addressed to President Daryl Peoples, Martinez thanked Peoples for the chance to characterize the group with honor and respect.
“The IBF needs Fernando Martinez continued success and all one of the best in his future endeavors.
Martinez (17-0, 9 knockouts) will as a substitute proceed with a much more profitable rematch with Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs). The Ring’s No. 1 and No. 2-rated junior bantamweights will meet once more on Dec. 31 in Tokyo. Martinez received their first bout by way of unanimous choice to unify the IBF and WBA titles at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
The bout marked the third—and now last—protection of the IBF title Martinez claimed in a Feb. 2022 choice over Jerwin Ancajas. He repeated the feat in way more dominant vogue later that October. Martinez then defeated Jade Bornea by way of knockout for his lone combat of 2023.
His 2024 marketing campaign will carry an Ioka two-pack. The Ring has discovered that his purse for the rematch is nicely into six figures.
Curiously, Ioka was confronted with the same predicament forward of one other rematch.
The four-division titlist was pressured to surrender the WBO title to as a substitute proceed with a June 2023 sequel versus Joshua Franco. The 2 fought to a majority choice draw of their 2022 New 12 months’s Eve WBA/WBO unification bout in Tokyo. Ioka retained his WBO belt whereas Franco stored the WBA title.
Their rematch noticed Ioka defeat an chubby Franco to win the WBA belt, which he defended as soon as. His reign ended within the defeat to Martinez, although that belt would be the just one at stake in December.
In the meantime, the IBF has already moved to fill the emptiness.
Mexico’s Garcia and unbeaten countryman Rene Calixto have been summoned to start negotiations. The combat between the IBF’s high two-rated contenders was ordered on Oct. 31, in accordance with an official ruling obtained by The Ring.
Garcia (22-5-1, 13 KOs) is represented by Sean ‘VIVA’ Gibbons. Calixto (23-0, 9 KOs) is promoted by TMK Worldwide, headed by former 118-pound titlist and present featherweight contender Tomoki Kameda (43-4, 23 KOs).
The 2 sides have till Nov. 30 to succeed in a deal. Nonetheless, The Ring has discovered that an settlement is all however finalized for December in Japan. Fittingly, the combat would happen lower than two weeks earlier than Martinez-Ioka II, ought to the date maintain.
Jake Donovan is a senior author for The Ring and vice chairman of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
