Rocky Martinez The Favorite To Face Brandon Rios

It’s been over a year since Roman “Rocky” Martinez last fought. And his last time in the ring was not that fun, as he lost his world championship to Ricky Burns in Scotland in a very close and competitive bout.

“It has been a while since I fought, but I have stayed in the gym and I've have been training and I am really anxious to get back in the ring,” said Martinez, who recently signed a promotional contract with Top Rank Inc., the leading promotional boxing company in the world.

Martinez (24-1, 15 KO’s) of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico will take the always roughed Daniel Attah (26-7-1, 9 KO’s) of Africa in the semi-main event of “Triple Crown III”  - a pay-per-view card headlined by the return of two-time world champion, Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez this Saturday night in Puerto Rico.

The card will take place at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and it will available in the United States on Directv Mas and the Dish Network.

“I think the layoff has helped me to get back my love for the sport and to focus more on my career. There is no doubt in my mind that I want to be a champion once again and for that to happen I need to work hard and be ready to give my best inside the ring,” said Martinez.

Martinez, one of the most fan friendly fighters in the world, won the WBO Junior lightweight championship on March 14, 2009 with a spectacular four round knockout of Nicky Cook in Manchester, England.

Martinez made two successful championship title defenses in Puerto Rico before returning to Europe in September, 2010 to face Burns in Glasgow, Scotland, where he lost a 12 round decision to the local fighter.

“After the first loss of my career I had to get away from boxing a little bit, but once I got over it, I knew I was ready to comeback and seek the world championship once again,” said Martinez.

Martinez is being heavily considered to face WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios on the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito undercard on December 3rd at New York's Madison Square Garden. Three opponents are being considered, with John Molina and Kevin Mitchell being others, but at the moment Martinez is the frontrunner - if he wins on Saturday and then decides to accept the fight.