By Ryan Burton

Lightweight prospect Xavier Martinez (10-0) was supposed to kick off his 2018 campaign Saturday night at Sam’s Town Gambling Hall in Las Vegas. The bout was supposed to be part of a 6-fight card being put on by Mayweather Promotions. Lightweight contender Sharif Bogere faces Artemio Santos Reyes in the main event scheduled for 10 rounds.

Martinez had an opponent but he wasn’t approved by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Efforts to secure a new opponent on short notice were futile.

There are big plans in store for the 20-year-old. Even though he has youth on his side, he  expects to move up to 10 round fights in his next bout.

"Actually this was supposed to be a 10 rounder but they wanted me to do one more 8 rounder so after this I will go up to 10," he explained.

When you grow up in Sacramento, California and are trained by Ray Woods, the late Diego Corrales is naturally a fighter you look up too.

Martinez said that he enters the ring with the same warrior mentality that made Corrales a favorite amongst fight fans.

"I looked up to Diego Corrales and Floyd when I was coming up. Those were the two main people I watched. Especially Diego because that is my trainer's son. He had the heart where to beat him in the ring you had to kill him and that is the mentality I go in there with with," Martinez told BoxingScene.com.

As for what’s next, Martinez hopes to get another fight scheduled very soon and then return to action again in the spring.

"Hopefully I can get back in March or April. That would be the best. I am  going to keep working hard and hopefully the end of next year or just after then I can go for a world title," said Martinez.

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