Super middleweight Lester Martinez remained unbeaten Saturday night, defeating Rodolfo Gomez by unanimous decision at Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas.
Scores were 100-90, 99-91, and 97-93 for Martinez, who improves to 12-0, 10 knockouts.
Fighting before a pro-Gomez crowd, Martinez remained calm, landing thudding hooks and crosses that broke down the taller Gomez.
As the fight progressed, Gomez was in survival mode. There were moments in the fight Martinez would stun or hurt Gomez, who would immediately hold Martinez. At times, Gomez took brutal punishment, but somehow made it to the final bell.
Steven Reid, who represents Martinez, was impressed with his performance.
“The whole crowd was originally screaming for the local Gomez, but after two rounds, the Gomez crowd was silent,” Reid told BoxingScene Sunday evening. “Most U.S. fighters at 168 pounds have refused to fight Lester. They know he is a force to be reckoned with.”
The 26-year-old amateur standout from Guatemala does have wins over Cuba standouts Arlen Lopez and Arisnoidys Despaigne. He made his pro debut in April 2019, stopping former world titleholder Ricardo Mayorga.
Gomez, who is originally from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and now resides in Laredo, drops to 14-6-2, 10 KOs. He is now winless in last three bouts.
The Martinez-Gomez fight headlined a card promoted by Adolfo Martinez.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing