Unbeaten world ranked Samuel Vasquez (20-0,14KOs) of Pennsylvania will face upset specialist Aaron Martinez (20-4-1, 4KOs) Southern California. The two will square off January 23rd in a scheduled for 10 round welterweight contest. The bout will be the co-feature to the main event featuring former world champions Danny Garcia vs. Robert Guerrero. The site of the event will be the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Tom Brown (TGB Promotions) will promote the card which will air on Fox.
Vasquez is a specialist for the United States Army National Guard including two tours in Iraq. He won multiple tournaments and medals in armed forces boxing tournaments. Vasquez overall had well over 200 amateur bouts. He advanced all the way to the semifinals of the United States 2012 Olympic trials before dropping a decision to now standout world contender Errol Spence Jr. He has fought solid competition as a pro having very little trouble with who he has faced thus far. He is now ranked in the world by two of the main sanctioning bodies.
Martinez will bring a different type of challenge for Vasquez. He doesn’t come with a lofty amateur background but brings a very underrated toughness to the table. He is coming off of a huge upset of former two-division world champion Devon Alexander in his last fight. Martinez entered that fight a 50 to 1 underdog by some sportsbooks. Prior to that fight Martinez dropped a controversial decision to former multi-divisional world champion Robert Guerrero. Martinez dropped Guerrero early in the fight but Guerrero closed the fight strong down the stretch to eke out the victory.
This is just the kind of fight that Vasquez could need to continue his climb up the world rankings. Martinez really brings it so it won’t be hard for Vasquez to find him. This should also make for good television with both guys willing to engage. A decisive win over Martinez would be major for Vasquez considering Martinez’ efforts on national television in back to back fights. The opportunity is presenting itself for Vasquez to make a statement. We shall see if he is able to step up and continue his march toward seriously contending for a world title.
