SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- Former two-time WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez and world contender McWilliams Arroyo trained this afternoon for the media at the Caimito Municipal Gym in San Juan 10 days before of their fights in “The War” that will take place on Saturday, April 11, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in a presentation of PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Zanfer Promotions, to be broadcast on Pay Per View in Puerto Rico, United States and Canada for all Cable TV and Satellite systems.
The main event will have Martinez (28-2-2, 17 KOs) facing the Mexican Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-12-2, 29 KOs), for the WBO 130-pound belt.
“We’re already down load training this week, but we are 100%,” said Martinez, who worked with Trinidad and head trainer Raul “Papo” Torres today. “We’re fine, yesterday I weighed 136 pounds after training, so I know I’ll make the weight comfortable. I think I found it more difficult before.”
The Vega Baja native, who continues to train with altitude training mask, made some rounds at the pads with Trinidad and some other rounds at the speed bag, the punching bag.
“We are focused on a smart fight, but we are ready to fight too. I want to be crowned in Puerto Rico for the first time, so I am motivated,” said Martinez, who last December returned to the ring after more than a year of inactivity and knocked African Herbert Quartey out in two rounds.
Meanwhile, Arroyo (15-2, 13 KOs), who will face Mexican Ismael “Sapito” Garnica (13-6-1, 5 KOs) in a 10 rounds battle in the flyweight division, said that he feels in a great condition for this match, his return to the ring after a closed split decision loss last September 10, 2014, in Thailand against IBF flyweight titlist Amnat Ruenroeng.
“I feel very happy to fight again in Puerto Rico, I love to fight in Puerto Rico. So I am working hard to look good and get back on track to another world opportunity,” said the gold medalist at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia, at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil and at the 2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Italy. “I know nothing (of Garnica), knew little of (Ramon, who was to be his rival) and just know that (Garnica) is right and the other (García Hirales) lefty, but no problem because this has happened to us.”
Arroyo trained with his usual trainer Anthony Otero, doing stretching and warming exercises, several intense rounds of pads and worked at the speed bag and the punching bag.
“We came out at the gym in 119 pounds yesterday, we are comfortable. It’s just some details and make the weight for the fight next Friday,” said Arroyo.
The other co-feature bout of the evening will be for the WBO Latino lightweight title, in which the champ Chelo Gonzalez (23-1, 18 KOs) will defend the belt against the Mexican Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero (26-5, 22 KOs) to 10 rounds.
“The War” between Salido and Martinez will be broadcast on “Pay Per View” at $39.95 for Puerto Rico, United States and Canada on all Cable TV and Satellite systems.
Tickets for “The War” are availables at Ticket Pop calling (787) 294-0001 or accesing www.ticketpop.com. Prices are $30, $50, $100, $200 and $300.
