Martinez-Berchelt On Course For March 12 After WBO Rejects Appeal

By Jake Donovan

On the heels of losing an appeal with the World Boxing Organization (WBO), the team surrounding Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez will proceed with plans for a March 12 mandatory title defense versus Miguel Berchelt on the road in Merida, Mexico.

The ordered title fight – as well as the purse bid hearing surrounding the bout – was formally protested by Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP), Martinez’ promoter who felt that Berchelt was not a qualified mandatory challenger. The WBO proceeded with the purse bid, in which Zanfer Promotions (Berchelt’s promoter) edged out All-Star Boxing, Inc. to secure the rights to the fight.

Zanfer submitted three fight dates, ultimately landing on March 12 in Mexico. The WBO offered its blessing, though also promising PRBBP its day in court.

The case was thoroughly reviewed by the Puerto Rico-based sanctioning body, before a ruling was handed down on Tuesday afternoon upholding its original decision.

All things considered, PRBBP agreed to move forward with present plans at hand.

"We get the answer to our protest and was not (ruled) in our favor,” Peter Rivera, vice president of PRBBP said in a statement through his press office. “The WBO believes that Berchelt (is qualified to serve as) the mandatory challenger for Rocky, thus instructing us to proceed with the title fight.

“We will follow the rules and accept the (WBO’s) decision.”

The fight that Martinez (29-2-3, 17KOs) and his team really wanted was a third showdown with former two-division champ Orlando Salido. Martinez dethroned the Mexican veteran in their thrilling first fight last April to begin his third tour as a super featherweight titlist. His lone defense came in their rematch last September in Las Vegas. Most observers believed Salido had done enough to regain his title, only to have to settle for a split decision draw.

Each of their two fights were thrilling enough to where a third meet was in high demand. Salido’s team initially rejected the thought of returning to Puerto Rico for such a fight, which disrupted tentative plans for a February 20 tripleheader that would have aired live on Showtime had all of the stars properly aligned.

There existed enough doubt in the fight happening to where the WBO decided to instead instruct Martinez to enter negotiations with Berchelt (28-1, 25KOs), granting both parties a five-day period to reach a deal before going to purse bid.

As Zanfer promotes Berchelt and Salido, an extension was granted to hammer out final details. Salido softened up on his stance of traveling to Puerto Rico, agreeing to do so if it meant securing a third fight. However, the fight date was lost by that point, as Showtime – part of the CBS Corporation family – was already making plans for the now-scheduled March 12 welterweight showdown between Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter.

Without a major network to finance the bout, PRBBP could no longer guarantee the fight would happen in absence of Martinez’ mandatory obligations, prompting the WBO to proceed with its plans.

Martinez and PRBBP hoped the appeal process would play out different, but also considered the possibility of losing that battle, at which point they would have to embrace the inevitable. That day has now arrived, although a reality Martinez accepted from the first day he entered training camp weeks ago.

“Rocky, as always, kept training and we know it will be ready by the date of the fight,” Rivera noted of the strong possibility of facing Berchelt on March 12. “Rocky has already traveled around the world to win and defend his title (his first reign began – and ended – in the United Kingdom).  No matter where he fights, we are always confident in Rocky’s chances of emerging victorious.”

The title fight will air live on TV Azteca in Mexico, with the likelihood of being picked up by beIN Sport Español in the United States.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox