Martinez-Berchelt: Zanfer Reserves March 12 in Merida, Mexico

By Jake Donovan

It was a lengthy process in getting Miguel Berchelt a mandatory title shot versus Roman Martinez, but the promoter of record has moved quickly to find the fight a home.

BoxingScene.com has been informed that Zanfer Promotions has secured a March 12 date for the fight to take place in Berchelt’s hometown of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Assuming Martinez’ side accepts the offer- and the only alternative would be to vacate the title - the bout will air live on TV Azteca as part of what has become a loaded 1st quarter schedule for the Mexico television outlet.

The working date was one of three submitted by Zanfer during a Jan. 12 purse bid hearing conducted by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) in New York City. The Mexico-based promotional outlet won the rights to the fight with a winning submission of $251,000, outbidding Felix ‘Tutico’ Zabala Jr’s All-Star Boxing, who put up $201,500 in hopes of securing the fight.

With its bid, Zanfer offered dates of March 12 and April 2 in Mexico and April 9 in Las Vegas. The latter date would have meant the fight landing on the undercard of the third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. on HBO Pay-Per-View. Had that been the case, Martinez would have been entitled to the standard 75% of the winning purse bid as champion.

Because the fight is taking place in the challenger’s home country – in fact, Berchelt’s hometown – Martinez is now entitled to 80% of the pot, for a $200,800 take. Berchelt will earn $50,200 for his first career title shot.

Martinez (29-2-3, 17KOs) will make the second defense of the super featherweight title he regained in a tremendous comeback campaign in 2015. The 32-year old boxer from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico has held the belt on three separate occasions, having reigned for 18 months beginning with a March ’09 upset win over Nicky Cook on the road in Manchester, England.

The reign also ended in the United Kingdom, dropping a 12-round decision to Ricky Burns in their Sept. ’10 clash in Glasgow, Scotland. Martinez found himself back in the title mix when Burns abandoned the strap in pursuit of a lightweight title. The second title reign came two years later, outpointing Miguel Beltran in Sept. ’12. The reign lasted just 14 months, before a 9th round stoppage loss prompted him to retire.

It turned out to just be a hiatus, with Martinez returning in Dec. ’14. A rust-shaking knockout win over Herbert Quartey led to a career-resurrecting victory over Orlando Salido in a thriller last April in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Their rematch proved just as entertaining, though their Sept. ’15 clash ending in a 12-round draw.

There were lengthy discussions in a possible third fight, but Salido’s initial unwillingness to once again travel to Puerto Rico prompted the WBO to act, instead enforcing the mandatory title challenge.

The move was taken as a threat to finalize Martinez-Salido III, but Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) – who promotes Martinez – was unable to provide the WBO with the necessary documentation in time to confirm the fight as a done deal, resulting in the purse bid hearing.

“We gave both teams plenty of time to reach a deal,” WBO President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel told BoxingScene.com. “A deadline was given for when the WBO needed (a written agreement). We even extended the deadline when we were told they were close (to a deal), but now it is far too late.”

PRBBP protested the session on the grounds that Berchelt failed to earn the mandatory position in accordance with the WBO rules.

“We do not participate in the purse bid and protested it, since according to the rules of the WBO Berchelt had to be faced against a ranked boxer to have the mandatory fight, and that has not happened,” insisted Peter Rivera, vice president of PRBBP. “But whatever - the WBO held the bid, won by Zanfer Promotions, which represents Berchelt.”

The matter is still under appeal, though will likely be rejected.

As such, Berchelt (28-1, 25KOs) will enter his first career title fight. The 24-year old boxer has won seven straight following his lone loss, a 1st round stoppage at the hands of Luis Flores in March ‘14.

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