Lester Martínez continues to garner recognition after winning the interim super middleweight world title of the World Boxing Council on March 21. This Saturday, the Guatemalan boxer was honored at the Sports Palace in zone 5 of the capital, where his plaque was placed inside the Hall of Excellence in a special ceremony with the presence of authorities from the Guatemalan Olympic Committee, the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala and the National Boxing Federation.
During the event, Léster spoke with emotion about his career and what this recognition represents. “I always thank God for the things he gives me. Since I started in this sport I did it with the conviction of one day being a champion. Today I can say that Guatemala has an interim champion and I hope very soon to be an absolute champion. Thank you all for the love“said the Petenero boxer during the ceremony.
With a record of 20 victories, 16 by knockout, and one draw in 21 fights, Lester Martínez joins in the Hall of Excellence other leaders of Guatemalan sports such as Olympic medalists Adriana Ruano, Jean Pierre Brol and Erick Barrondo, in addition to para-athlete Rolando de León. The event closed with words from the president of the Guatemalan Olympic Committee, who highlighted the example that the boxer represents for new generations.
A career that continues to grow
Martínez began his path in boxing by winning the gold medal at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, before making the leap to professionalism in 2019. Since then he has built a solid career that led him to be crowned WBC interim super middleweight champion after defeating the American Immanuwel Aleem by unanimous decision in San Bernardino, California, with scores of 119-109, 118-110 and 120-108.
The road to the absolute title, however, still requires patience. According to the World Boxing Council, Martínez must comply with mandatory defenses before being able to face the Mexican Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez for the absolute belt of the category. His next fight could be held in August in the United States, where the Guatemalan will seek to continue building his legacy in world boxing.
The recognition in the Hall of Excellence comes at one of the best moments of the Petenero’s career, who at just 30 years old is already considered one of the most important boxers in the history of Guatemalan sports.. His inclusion alongside Olympic medalists and national sports figures reflects the impact that his world crowning has had on the country and the place it occupies today within the pantheon of Guatemalan sports.
