The 130-pound title picture will crystallize Saturday evening at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, as the unbeaten Xavier Martinez(17-0, 11 KOs) battles recent world title challenger Robson Conceição(16-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round WBC title eliminator.
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – JANUARY 27: Robson Conceição (L) and Xavier Martinez (R) pose during their press conference prior to their super featherweight fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on January 27, 2022 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Conceição is coming off last September’s valiant challenge of WBC world champion Oscar Valdez in Tucson, Arizona. Valdez rallied late to edge the unanimous decision. Martinez grinded out decisions over veterans Claudio Marrero and Juan Carlos Burgos in his last two outings, ample preparation for his Top Rank debut.
In the 10-round junior lightweight co-feature, Mexican knockout artist Rene Tellez Gironwill battle rising Puerto Rican star Luis Melendez. Conceição-Martinez and Melendez-Giron will be televised live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – JANUARY 27: (L-R) Nico Ali Walsh, Jeremiah Milton, Luis Melendez and Mark Shunock attend the press conference at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on January 27, 2022 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
The undercard — streaming live on ESPN+ starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT — includes Tulsa-born heavyweight Jeremiah Milton (3-0, 3 KOs) and middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (3-0, 2 KOs) in four-rounders.
At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the main event fighters had to say.
Robson Conceição
“What happened against Valdez was just a small setback. What I learned from that fight is that it was a great fight, but the fans know I won the fight. They know I’m the man.”
“I’m very motivated. After the fight with Valdez, I walked out of the ring very happy with my performance. I went straight to the gym. I had a very good training camp, and now I’m facing a very tough opponent. That makes me even happier. I hope he is ready for a great fight. I’m ready! I always overcome all obstacles. Martinez is a very tough fighter. We will be battling for our lives inside the ring. I trained very hard to come out with a big victory.”
“For me, every fight is a world title fight. I’ve been away from my family and sacrificing for over a year. I’m very close to my goal, and I will not rest until I accomplish my goal.”
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – JANUARY 27: Robson Conceição (L) and Xavier Martinez (R) face-off during their press conference prior to their super featherweight fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on January 27, 2022 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Xavier Martinez
“Now I’m really motivated. I just had my little girl. I have to fight for my little girl. She is my motivation. Makes me even hungrier, and that makes me train even harder.”
“Those last two fights were very tough and got me ready for this moment right here. I’ve been putting the work in, and I can’t let this opportunity slip by me.”
“I’m not overlooking Conceição. He is a great opponent. He is the main objective right now, but after this, I want a title shot. If it’s not right after, I want to keep active and maybe fight for a title next year.”
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – JANUARY 27: Nico Ali Walsh poses during the press conference with Jeremiah Yeager prior to their middleweight fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on January 27, 2022 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
SATURDAY, January 29, 2022
ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Robson Conceição vs. Xavier Martinez, 10 rounds, WBC super featherweight title eliminator
Luis Melendez vs. Rene Tellez Giron, 10 rounds, junior lightweight
ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
Stephan Shaw vs. Joey Dawejko, 8 rounds, heavyweight
Tiger Johnson vs. Xavier Madrid, 4 rounds, welterweight
Pink Tyson vs. Carla Torres, 8 rounds, junior lightweight
Bruce Carrington vs. Steven Brown, 4 rounds, featherweight
Jeremiah Milton vs. Dell Long, 4 rounds, heavyweight
Dante Benjamin Jr. vs. Herman Rendon, 4 rounds, light heavyweight
Haven Brady Jr. vs. Diuhl Olguin, 6 rounds, featherweight
Nico Ali Walsh vs. Jeremiah Yeager, 4 rounds, middleweight
Giovanni Cabrera vs. Rafael Reyes, 8 rounds, lightweight
Credit: Top Rank
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