It’s just a matter of days before Spanish boxing could enter a new era, and the catalyst for this change might just be Sandor Martín. In a country where this historic sport has lost some of its former strength, the presence of a champion who can captivate fans is desperately needed. The Catalan fighter is set to face Alberto Puello for the world title of the Super League, a category that boasts contestants like the aforementioned Dominican champion, Devin Haney, Teófimo López, Ryan García, Barboza JR., or Richardson Hitchins, to name a few.
Sandor competes in what is arguably the hottest weight in pugilism today, especially when you consider the impressive array of talent in the lightweight division, including Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, or the young Keyshawn Davis. The fact that he’s aspiring to the World Boxing Council (WBC) title should be the sports news of the week, although Martín himself is aware that until the champion belt is within reach, the desired impact won’t fully materialize. As he put it, “In the end, everything comes down to fighting for a world title, it’s not something that’s easily given, and winning it is even more challenging. It’s true that the belt opens many doors and is the award for a lifetime of effort and dedication. It’s what everyone wants to see, feel, touch, you want to be close to the champion and the belt, and that’s why this is such an important fight.”
The Barcelona boxer hopes to feel the support of the Spanish public, even from a distance. “I ask the Spanish public for as much support as possible in one of the key moments in the recent history of Spanish boxing, because if this goes well, it will be something very good for the entire boxing community in this country, which I think is the sleeping giant of sports in Spain. Boxing needs a great awakening, and it will be on March 1,” explains the fighter from Ko Verdún. For those in Spain, the fight can be followed at dawn on Sunday, March 3, through Movistar Plus (dial 8).
## Equipable to Topuria – Volkanovski?
A little over a year ago, a fight, albeit in MMA, managed to keep many Spaniards awake at dawn. Ilia Topuria was proclaimed UFC champion of the featherweight division when he beat Alexander Volkanovski. There’s no doubt that the marketing of the American MMA company is something that boxing as a whole lacks. The sport of boxing is more open, which prevents it from being sold as a product in such a strategic manner. However, Sandor expects a victory to open up a new horizon for the noble art.
Could we see a ‘Topuria effect’ in boxing? “Yes, there are certain similarities, because when there is a champion who proudly represents and guarantees to Spanish sport, the community responds better and more. Spain needs a boxing world champion. It’s a historical sport with great roots in our country, and we cannot be without a world champion. Now it’s my turn to be the flag bearer of a generation, and I am only focused on doing well so that everyone feels proud,” says Sandor Martín. As he succinctly puts it, “I am only focused on doing well so that everyone feels proud.”
