By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Three down, one to go.
The countdown has been the mantra for Team Panterita during the 2021 USA Boxing National Championships, and now their fighter is one win away from his 15th national championship.
Del Rio’s Jesus “Panterita” Martinez defeated Troy Nash of Colorado Springs, Co., by unanimous decision Friday afternoon to advance to the championship fight of the youth male 125-pound weight division.
It’s Martinez’s third win in four days. He is next scheduled to face the winner of the Cornellio Phipps/Tyshawn Denson bout that took place in ring three at the same as Martinez’s fight.
Nash, the No. 2 ranked fighter in the division, had the height and reach advantage over Martinez, the No. 3 ranked fighter, but it was Martinez’s speed and elusiveness that told the story.
With a sizeable cheering section backing him up, Martinez took control in the first round, avoiding Nash’s jab and delivering counter punches with precision. Martinez’s speed left Nash off balance as the bigger fighter tried to deliver heavier blows, but Martinez was able to get in close and work the midsection before throwing his right that connected with Nash’s head.
Nash came out more aggressive in the second round, but Martinez stuck to his game plan. He was able to move Nash to the ropes where he unleashed a flurry of blows to the midsection.
With his jab off target, Nash moved instead to slow Martinez down by tying him up or locking his arm with Martinez’s. The referee spoke to Nash about the tactic, but it didn’t help deliver any additional punches.
Martinez looked fresh coming out for the third and final round. Nash’s corner encouraged him to engage and go after Martinez, saying the Del Rio fighter was tired, but Martinez continued to land his punches almost at will and kept Nash at bay.
Nash clinched Martinez again in the third, but when the two separated, Nash tried a big hook. Martinez ducked the big punch and escaped unscathed as Nash continued to try and find a solution for the quicker fighter. However, he was never able to do so.
The national championships are being held in the Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, La.
This is Martinez’s first tournament since July when he won the Junior Male 125-pound weight class championship at the 2021 USA Boxing National Junior Olympics in Lubbock for his 14th national championship. At that event, Martinez won four fights in four days, three via unanimous decision and one by technical knockout.
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