By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Jesus “Panterita” Martinez has been here before.
A 13-time national champion and a former international champion, the talented and decorated boxer is in Lubbock, Texas and has one thing on his mind – bringing a gold medal back to Del Rio.
Martinez is so far undefeated at the 2021 National Junior Olympics and Summer Festival. His final fight is set for Saturday against Adam Zayas of Williamstown, N.J. The fight can be viewed online at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Ring-3-Updated
Fights will begin airing online at noon.
His bout is set to be the 14th in Ring 3, but for “Panterita,” his family, friends and supporters, it’s the main event in what has been a dominant showing for one of the top young fighters in the nation.
In January 2020, Martinez was the third ranked fighter in the US at 119 pounds according to USA Boxing’s Junior rankings. He had high hopes headed into the 2020 Junior Olympics, but in April USA Boxing announced the event would be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Martinez would have to wait another year before he could fight for a spot on the Junior Olympics team, but he’s shown this week that it was worth the wait.
Ranked at No. 1 in the 125-pound Junior Male weight class, Martinez opened his week with a TKO via referee stoppage of Jerome Harrigan of Norfolk, Va.
Next up was Andres Alvarado of Gainesville, Fla. Alvarado was a tougher challenger, but Martinez got the win by unanimous decision to advance to the semifinals.
Noah Luna of Houston was Martinez’s opponent Friday. Once again, Martinez rose to the occasion, earning the win via unanimous decision to advance to the finals of the Junior Male 125-pound division.
—
Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
