WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lester Martinez was taking a big step up in level of opposition when he stepped in the ring with Carlos Gongora on Friday. Martinez quickly proved that he was ready for this step – and the unbeaten super middleweight from Guatemala can now move on to the next.
Martinez topped Gongora by unanimous decision here at the Entertainment & Sports Arena, triumphing in the co-feature slot underneath Lamont Roach Jr.’s junior lightweight title defense against Feargal McCrory.
Two judges saw it 99-91, while the third had it a shutout at 100-90.
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It was no surprise, given the fighters involved, that they exchanged heavy blows in the second round. And they continued to load up on big shots in the third, with Martinez landing flusher and more often, including a right hand that caused Gongora to take a rare backward step.
Martinez got the better of Gongora in the fourth, rocking him with a big right hand, following with three more big shots, and scoring again and again.
Despite all this, Gongora was still coming forward to start the sixth, maneuvering Martinez to the ropes and landing a right hand. The round still belonged to Martinez, though, who rained down punishment in the closing seconds. Martinez elicited more approval from the crowd in the seventh when he scored with a right hand followed by a left hook.
Gongora wasn’t going away, however, and was able to land a decent left in the eighth. It wasn’t anywhere near enough to win the round or change the momentum of the fight. Martinez had Gongora hurt in the 10th round, leading him to pursue his shaken opponent in an attempt to close the show. Gongora grabbed hold, sought some relief and was able to make it to the final bell.
Martinez, who is 28 years old, improves to 18-0 (15 KOs). His development will continue. Despite his age – a time when fighters are often entering their prime – Martinez has been a pro for only five years. He’s a prospect who is still on a journey toward becoming a contender. Gongora, meanwhile, may now be stuck in the role of a good measuring-stick opponent for up-and-coming super middleweights. The 35-year-old Gongora – originally from Ecuador and now living in Boston – is 22-3 (17 KOs).
There were good wins over previously unbeaten Ali Akhmedov in 2020 and 17-2 Christopher Pearson in 2021. But Gongora took his first loss with a split decision defeat to Lerrone Richards at the end of 2021, lost a unanimous decision to unbeaten Christian Mbilli last year and now has a third blemish on his record.
