By Mark Vester
Roman Martinez (21-0, 12KOs) wants to become the next superstar of Puerto Rico. He travel to Manchester on March 14 to challenge WBO super featherweight champion Nicky Cook (29-1, 16KOs) on the undercard to Khan-Barrera at the MEN Arena. Martinez fought his way to a mandatory shot and wants to join the ranks of other Puerto Rican champions like Ivan Calderon, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Lopez. Cook is coming off last September's upset decision over Alex Arthur.
Martinez knows the crowd will be against him but he say the crowd will not be in the ring helping Cook.
"I don't think I'm going to be affected by anything. In the ring, it's only going to be Cook, me and the ref. I will do my job, I will fight him and not the people. I will do my job, launch the first assault and look for the knockout," Martinez said to Primera Hora. "I'm 100% ready, I have no excuses and I have no doubt that I will bring the title back to Puerto Rico. I'm in the best position to be champion."
Martinez is not overlooking Cook, he says the Brit is a very good fighter.
"He's not a bad fighter. He is a good fighter, but my longing to be a champion, my motivation and my commitment will come out in the fight. I ready for twelve rounds of war. I've always fought well and I've gained the experience," Martinez said. "I want the whole Puerto Rico, and the whole world to recognize me as a great champion."
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