By Ben Jacobs

Some fighters have records which reflect the level and quality which they are at.  Others are not so obvious.  One glance at Aron Martínez’s (20-4-1, 4 KOs) record would make you think he doesn’t hit hard or possess the ability to win big fights, but ask Devon Alexander or Robert Guerrero if he should be underestimated.

Last October, the Los Angeles resident comfortably defeated former world champion Alexander while prior to that in June of last year, he was unlucky to lose a split decision to Guerrero in a fight some observers felt he won.

“A lot of fighters underestimate my power,” Martínez told krikya360.com via telephone after a recent media workout.

Aron suffered a setback in 2014 when the referee stopped his bout with Josesito López in the fifth round.  From that point, his career could have gone either up or down, with the disappointment of that result hampering his progress, at least mentally.  Instead he found the resources to come back and put himself into the position he now finds himself, which is close to a world title shot.

“He [López] caught me with a good punch, everything happened so fast.  It made me train harder for my next fights and I came back stronger, hopefully that kind of thing never happens again.

“I think having an undefeated record can sometimes bring a lot of pressure.  I wanted the win on my record against Guerrero, but for a judge to score it that wide, what can you do?”

Sammy Vázquez (20-0, 14 KOs) provides Martínez with another chance to push on and try to get in the mix and championship level, particularly given the decision of the WBC to make the clash a semi-final, with the winner facing the victor of the main event between Danny García and Robert Guerrero.  Aron revealed he has carefully looked at his opponent.

“I think I have more experience than him, which always helps.  I have fought better opposition.  He’s a very good fighter and a puncher which matches up well against my experience.  I’m a veteran now so it will be a good fight.

“I have studied him a lot and I’ve been sparring southpaws, we’ve done a good job with that.  I’ve been sparring lefties for the past year because my last two opponents have been southpaws, so it’s not a problem.  It’s also a dream come true fighting in my hometown, at the Staples Center.”

The 34-year-old feels his former rival Guerrero does have a chance to upset the odds against the favoured Danny García.

“It’s one against one in the ring, everyone has a chance.  He’s a pretty good fighter and I expect a good show.”