Team Berchelt Demanding Answers as Lomachenko-Martinez Looms

By Jake Donovan

Top Rank and HBO will move forward with a June 11 televised doubleheader at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City, headlined by a super featherweight showdown between Ukrainian wunderkind Vasyl Lomachenko and Puerto Rico’s Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez.

Whether or not a belt will be at stake could potentially come down to what the courts decide.

Lomachenko (5-1, 3KOs) rates as the best featherweight in the world but has been eyeing a title in a second weight class. The two-time Olympic Gold medalist competed for a featherweight belt in just his third pro fight, claiming the crown one bout later and has since defended three times.

His ambitious side is now targeting a super featherweight strap, but initial hesitance and legal issues prompted Lomachenko’s team – headed by one of the game’s very best managers in Egis Klimas – to immediately search for a backup plan.

Martinez (29-2-3, 17KOs) has always been the preferred choice, given his status as a three-term super featherweight titlist in addition to the allure of facing a boxer from Puerto Rico in New York City on the eve of the annual Puerto Rican Day parade. For that very reason, unbeaten lightweight Felix Verdejo (21-0, 14KOs) has also been a set fixture on the card, although his opponent has yet to be determined.

There was a point when Lomachenko and his team were forced to look across the street at adviser Al Haymon’s stable, as they were deep into negotiations with another 130-pound titlist, Javier Fortuna. The unbeaten Dominican, now based out of Boston was on board to take the fight, only for Lomachenko to revert back to Plan A once Martinez and his promoter, Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions agreed to terms for the Garden party.

News of Martinez’ availability was met with surprise by interim titlist and mandatory challenger Miguel Berchelt, who has been owed a title shot for as long as 2016 has been old. The once-beaten knockout artist from Mexico was due to fight for the crown on March 12, only for Martinez to withdraw from the mandatory title defense due to an injury reportedly suffered days before he  was set to travel to his opponent’s hometown of Merida, Mexico.

Berchelt was granted the opportunity to fight for – and win – the interim title – with the agreement that Martinez would face him once he was given a clean bill of health. His promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions openly questioned the World Boxing Organization (WBO) as to the medical status of Martinez once whispers began of a fight with Lomachenko.

Beltran contacted WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel on April 7 in the form of an official letter of which a copy has been obtained by BoxingScene.com. The letter acknowledged a potential meeting between the two, which was to take place on April 9 in Las Vegas, as both were in town for Top Rank’s Pay-Per-View event headlined by Manny Pacquiao’s 12-round decision win over Timothy Bradley Jr. in their rubber match.

The undercard featured several of Beltran’s fighters, including Gilberto Ramirez who became Mexico’s first-ever super middleweight titlist following his 12-round win over Arthur Abraham. There was plenty of reason for the staff at Zanfer to celebrate, but not to the point where it would forgive Berchelt being left out in the cold as it relates to the 130-pound title picture.

“I appreciate your availability to follow up the case of Roman Rocky Martinez,” Beltran stated to Valcarcel on April 7. “As expressed in your letter, (Martinez) is in the rehabilitation stage and – therefore – cannot train or spar in the gym.

“I am awaiting a follow-up (on Martinez’ medical status), since my representing Miguel Berchelt, we are waiting to (return to the ring). You also informed that the determination that we have with respect to this case, is that Roman Martinez will not be allowed to enter another championship fight that is not with Miguel Berchelt.” 

Valcarcel responded eight days later, the delay due to awaiting pertinent medical information providing Martinez’ current progress. In that time, it was believed that Top Rank was in discussion with Zanfer – given that the two are longtime business partners – to negotiate financial compensation for Berchelt in exchange for stepping aside to allow Lomachenko-Martinez to happen in June.

Berchelt himself threatened a lawsuit if such a fight proceeded with the WBO 130-pound title at stake, as previously reported by BoxingScene.com.

Apparently, whatever discussion has taken place has not yet reached resolution – at least not the kind needed by Top Rank in order for its June 11 headliner to proceed as a title fight.

For what it’s worth, the WBO has yet to officially sanction the contest. The determination made by Dr. Jose Santiago - an orthopedic surgeon in Puerto Rico – was that Martinez’ gym time was to be limited to cardio and anything not involving usage of his injured hand.

“Dr. Jose M. Santiago Figueroa… is going to see Rocky Martinez in the next 30 days to issue a final decision if he cannot perform a normal training camp and defend his 130-pound title,” Valcarcel informed Beltran on April 15. “I hope that this information may help you to make any determination in proceeding with the future of interim champion Miguel Berchelt.”

A press conference for the aforementioned June 11 doubleheader is scheduled to take place Thursday, April 28 on MSG property, at which point such matters will hopefully be resolved.

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