Lester Martinez has been scheduled to fight Joeshon James three times and is completing his third training camp for the same opponent. On Saturday at the Orange Show Events Center, San Bernardino, California, the two will finally step in the ring for a fight that is six months in the making.

The 10-round super middleweight bout between the two undefeated fighters will be broadcast on ProBox TV and serve to elevate the winner into title contention.

Martinez, a 29-year-old from Guatemala, has had a rough road to this point. In September, he made weight only for the bout to be canceled the day of the fight due to illness. The bout was rescheduled for February with an illness announced on fight week delaying the bout again. Martinez, who trains with Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, spoke about his excitement ahead of the fight.

“I am anxious about the fight because it has been canceled a couple of times,” Martinez told BoxingScene via a translator. “I am happy because it is finally going to happen.”

Martinez, 18-0 (15 KOs), won a unanimous decision over contender Carlos Gongora, which snapped his five-fight knockout streak. Despite the delays, Martinez, ranked No.2 by the WBA, maintains his preparation has not changed. 

“I am always focused on the fight no matter who the opponent is,” Martinez said. “I am very focused, especially when it is four weeks before the fight.”

James, 9-0-2 (5 KOs), has taken one of the most unique roads of any prospect looking to become a contender. He has taken four fights against top-rated prospects. The result of those fights for James, the 26-year-old from Sacramento, California, is two stoppages over David Stevens and Richard Brewart Jnr. He also had two draws with Javier Martinez and Abilkhan Amankul. James last fought in February 2024 in which he won a unanimous decision over Vaughn Alexander.

“A win in this fight will mean a lot,” Martinez said. “Winning this fight puts me closer to the world title.”