Rocky Martinez Reportedly Not Interested in Rios Shot

By Ryan Burton

 

BoxingScene.com recently reported that former super featherweight champion Rocky Martinez was the frontrunner to face WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios on the televised undercard of the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito rematch that takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York on December 3rd.

 

For the fight to take place Martinez would first have to defeat Daniel Attah, whom he faces Saturday in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.  BoxingScene spoke to sources close to the situation who revealed that Martinez is not interested in moving up to 135 pounds at this time. 

 

"Rocky weighed 131.5 pounds on Monday.  He was almost right on weight four days before the weigh in," stated one of the sources. "Rocky has no problem making 130 and it wouldn't make any sense to move up right now even though it would be an honor to be on that card. As a matter of fact he could make 126 if he needed to.  Rocky may look to 135 one day but that day is probably a couple years away.  He said that he is very happy fighting at 130 which is his natural weight."

 

According to our sources, Martinez has his mind set on recapturing his WBO super featherweight title.  Martinez lost his title to Ricky Burns in September of last year when he lost a close decision to Ricky Burns in Scottish's backyard.  Burns has since vacated the title and moved up to lightweight.  The title is now vacant although Adrien Broner is rumored to be fighting for it next month versus an opponent to be determined.

 

"All of Rocky's focus is on his fight against Attah and then regaining his title that he lost.  He eats, sleeps and dreams about getting his title back.  That is where all of his focus is at," said one of our sources.