| |
|
Ronal Batista Ready to Challenge “Rey” Martínez in Canelo’s May 6 Guadalajara Show
By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Wed, 19 Apr 2023

Panamanian 115-pounder Ronal Batista (15-2, 9 KO's, in the photos), currently WBC #38, WBA #8 in the super flyweights, will trim down to the flyweight division to challenge popular, hard-swinging Mexican WBC flyweight world champion Julio Cesar "Rey" Martinez (19-2, 14 KO's).
The 12-round clash is one of the title fights supporting Canelo's mega show on May 6 at the the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Martinez, 28, comes into his 5th title defense from a December majority decision win over tough Spaniard Samuel Cardona.
Meanwhile, Panama's challenger Batista, 26, arrives into his first world-title battle from a difficult December win over Nicaragua journeyman Jose Cordero (12-17-5, 0 KO's).
In that battle, the unheralded Cordero, a man who has never won any of his 34 fights by knockout, managed to knock down Batista... The brave Batista, however, got up from the floor to claim the W over the Niaraguan in chapter four.
The above prompts fans to think: "If a really patsy boxer like Cordero managed to put Batista down on the canvas on his behind, what would a power-puncher like "Rey" Martinez do?"
In fact, the team of champion "Rey" Martinez 100% preferred a far more attractive rematch defense against Puerto RIcan mandatory challenger McWilliams Arroyo.
Unfortunately, the former champ Arroyo (21-4, 16 KO's) was unable to be ready for May 6 because the Boricua living in Fajardo is still healing his neck from a sustained injury.
Nevertheless, will the Panamanian Batista score the biggest boxing upset of 2023 by dethroning "Rey" Martinez, throwing a wrench in Martinez-Arroyo 2?
Or will "Rey" Martinez cruise over the Panama challenger for a successful 5th defense of his green 'n golden belt? May the Best Man Win!
The author, veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa of Panama, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and WhatsApp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Featherweight Crusher Mirco Cuello Destroys Sergio Rios to Win WBA Interim Championship in Benghazi , Sat, 09 Aug 2025TONIGHT! Maricela "La Diva" Cornejo to Battle Natasha "The Nightmare" Spence for WBA International Title , Sat, 09 Aug 2025INKSIDE Track: A Quarantine Story Tattooed in Mactan By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 09 Aug 2025A Night of Boxing in Sta Ynez, California: Cain Sandoval Versus Jino Rodrigo By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 08 Aug 2025USA Boxing Announces 2025 World Boxing Championships Roster , Fri, 08 Aug 2025Adrien Broner Hints at Comeback, Pledges 3-5 More Years to Boxing By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 08 Aug 2025Heavyweight Jamar Talley falls short in opening bout of 2023 Santiago Pan American Games , Fri, 08 Aug 2025Milo Marathon in Tagum on September 7 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 Aug 2025Former Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion, Riddick Bowe Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas , Fri, 08 Aug 2025Gaballo and Laurente to Co-Headline Sanman Boxing Event in Gensan , Thu, 07 Aug 2025Paulo Salud and His POWer Punches By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025Jamaine Ortiz Eager to Face Steve Claggett in Co-Main Event of MVP Fight Night on DAZN , Thu, 07 Aug 2025Happy 53rd Birthday to the One and Only Gerry Peñalosa!!! By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025FLORIDA POOL OPEN DAY TWO: GORST FALLS TO ATENCIO AS CHUA, YAPP, AND DUONG CRUISE INTO LAST 64 , Thu, 07 Aug 2025128 chess players officially registered for Touchmove By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025Japanese Rule of the Lower Weights Under Challenge by Pinoy, Latino Boxers By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025September 6: Former World Champion Oscar Valdez Faces Ricky "El Castigo" Medina in Mexican Homecoming at Domo Binacional in Nogales , Thu, 07 Aug 2025Former World Champion & U. S. Olympian Sadam Ali to headline “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit , Thu, 07 Aug 2025"Pitbull" Cruz receives his WBC Belt in Mexico City By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 06 Aug 2025Japanese Rule of Lower Weights Under Challenge; Head-Scratching Latest WBC World Rankings By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 06 Aug 2025UNDERCARD ADDITIONS ANNOUNCED FOR ALLEN v MAKHMUDOV AS HEARN EXPECTS TICKETS TO FLY FOR OCTOBER 11 IN SHEFFIELD , Wed, 06 Aug 2025Yoenis Tellez to Defend WBA Interim Title Against Abass Baraou in High-Stakes Showdown on DAZN , Wed, 06 Aug 2025CB Promotions To Debut This Fall , Wed, 06 Aug 20252 Division World Champion, Current WBO, The Ring Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, , Wed, 06 Aug 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 11 - ALI GETS BACK HIS BOXING LICENSE, WINS OVER QUARRY, BONAVENA AND ELLIS By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|