Business as usual for Canelo while Yildirim embraces title shot of a lifetime

Martinez-Arroyo co-feature canceled after press conference

Flyweight world titlist Julio Cesar Martinez pulled out of his mandatory defense against McWilliams Arroyo on Thursday, hours after participating in the final news conference.

They were due to box in the co-feature of unified super middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez’s mandatory defense against Avni Yildirim on Saturday night (DAZN) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Hours after the press conference Martinez withdrew citing a right hand injury and posting photos on his Instagram account with a message.

“Well, more than anything, I want you to know for me, the truth is I am very sad, very disappointed by this, for what has happened to all my people who have always supported me and have always been with me,” Martinez wrote in a post translated from Spanish.

Martinez added that the fight would eventually take place.

“This does not stop the fight and I am going to go back to look for that knockout. I apologize to everyone. … We are going to return better than ever.”

How and when the injury happened not disclosed. Promoter Matchroom Boxing later confirmed Martinez’s withdrawal, posting on its social media, “Julio Cesar Martinez has withdrawn from our Feb. 27 show in Miami due to a hand injury.”

During the news conference Martinez (17-1, 13 KOs), 25, of Mexico, who was due to make his third title defense, and Arroyo (20-4, 15 KOs), 35, of Puerto Rico, professed their readiness for the fight.

“I’m ready, I’m anxious,” Martinez said through a translator. “I was sad about the pandemic and having to cancel a couple of fights. I’m ready to fight whoever, whenever and I’m going in there with everything but fear. I’m wishing him luck. We want to face the best. We want to unify the title and after the result of this fight, continue gathering more titles and then possibly move up to (junior bantamweight).”

Arroyo, who is 0-3 in world title bouts, was also excited for another title shot that would be postponed hours later.

“I’ve been waiting a long year for this fight to be happening and thank God it’s going to be a dream come true,” he said at the news conference. “May the best man win. I’ve been working very hard. He’s the world champion and I know he wants to keep being the world champion, and I want to take the championship from him to take it to my home.”

When it was Alvarez’s time to speak at the news conference he was straight forward with no frills.

 “I respect all fighters. I respect the challenger that’s in front of me right now,” he said through a translator. “I know he’s a strong fighter. I know he has a lot of tools. I have the same mentality. I’m trying to do my job, and I’m trying to make history.”

If Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs), 30, of Mexico, wins he will move on to a three-belt unification fight against Billy Joe Saunders on May 8 and then hopes to meet titlist Caleb Plant for the undisputed 168-pound championship either in September or December. Alvarez hopes to fight in both months, which would give him four fights this year and five since last December, when he easily outpointed Callum Smith to win two of the major sanctioning body super middleweight titles.

“I love being here. I love being in the gym. It’s my life,” Alvarez said. “We’re going to take these fights fight-by-fight, and hopefully I can fight four times this year. I’m focused on my rival Saturday. I know right now this fight is the only one that exists for me, and I’m focused on what I have to do, my job for Saturday.”

Said Alvarez trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso:  “We know we have a tough fight against Yildirim. He’s trained by Joel (Diaz). We know it’s not going to be easy but we’re gonna give a good fight.”

“I promise he will come with fire in his belly. This is a dream come true for him. On paper he should be outmatched, outclassed and knocked out.” — Eddie Hearn on Avni Yildirm

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn noted Alvarez’s serious nature.

“You look at Canelo Alvarez, and he was just all business up there. He wasn’t really joking around. I think he knows what could lie ahead,” Hearn said. “What I like about Avni Yildirim is he’s a massive underdog in this fight. But I promise he will come with fire in his belly. This is a dream come true for him. On paper he should be outmatched, outclassed and knocked out.

“I’ve never seen a fighter like Canelo Alvarez. What you’re seeing on Saturday is the best fighter of our generation, and it’s special to see.”

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs), 29, of Turkey, a former Alvarez sparring partner, knows how big of an opportunity he has.

“I’m ready to be here. Saturday is a big night for me and for my country, for all the fans,” he said. “It’s a big chance for me, a big chance for my country. Everyone is waiting for the WBC belt. Maybe after the world championship title, boxing will get so big in my country.

“(Alvarez is) a big champion, everyone knows that. I’m ready for the world championship title for the big chance. It’s my time. Saturday, for everyone, it’s showtime.”

Diaz and Yildirim have been working together since October 2019 but because of the coronavirus pandemic it will be their first bout.

“He’s hungry, he has a whole country behind him, and he wants to make a legacy of his own being the only (notable) Turkish fighter right now,” Diaz said. “He’s fighting hard, he’s excited about the opportunity and he’s taking advantage of it.

“Putting a plan against Canelo Alvarez for me, is really tough because Canelo is not an easy fighter to face. Like every coach, like every fighter we have to take risks. We’re up for the challenge.”  

Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing