WBC flyweight world champion Julio Cesar 'Rey' Martinez will return to the ring on June 26 in Mexico, as part of a card being staged by Matchroom Boxing in coordination with Canelo Promotions and Clase Y Talento, according to ESPN Deportes.
Martinez owes a mandatory defense to Puerto Rico's McWilliams Arroyo.
They were scheduled to fight each other in February, but Martinez withdrew with a hand injury only a few days before the fight was going to come off as part of the Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim undercard in Florida.
Arroyo instead faced a late replacement in Abraham Rodriguez and stopped him in five rounds to capture the WBC's interim-title.
According to some sources, the representatives of Arroyo asked the World Boxing Council for permission to make a voluntary defense of the interim championship, and therefore Martinez will also make a voluntary defense.
Martinez, who is co-promoted by Eddy Reynoso and Eddie Hearn, hasn't fought since October of last year, when he blasted out Moisés Calleros in two rounds.
Martinez has had several fights pushed back for a variety of reasons.
After fighting four times in 2019 with fights against Charlie Edwards, Andrew Selby and Cristofer Rosales - he only saw action twice in 2020 with a decision win over Jay Harris in February of the year.
