Efrain Esquivias (17-3-1, 10 KOs) knows he is up against a rock and a hard place entering his 10-round super bantamweight fight against the well-experienced and savvy veteran Christopher Martin (27-3-3, 9 KOs), on Friday, July 25 from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.
Esquivias’ goal of challenging for a world title was on a steady pace after knocking out Rafael Marquez in September on SHOWTIME. Unfortunately, that goal was pushed back when he dropped a majority decision to Ruben Tamayo in April. He was coming off a nagging back injury (its fully healed now), and he fought several divisions heavier than his natural 122-lb. limit.
“It’s a must win fight, it’s as simple as that.
“There is no room for error. If I want to be mentioned as a world title challenger, I need to take care of business.
“I wasn’t myself in my last fight and everyone knows that
“This time, you’re going to see the same boxer that knocked out Rafael Marquez. I have that same snap on my punches, my conditioning is where it needs to be, and there are no distractions.”
Martin, who is also promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions, has something to prove as well. He, too, is coming off a stunning loss that no one saw coming. Martin lost a lopsided decision to Enrique Quevedo in October.
“I’ve put that loss behind me, it’s in the rear view mirror,” Martin said. “My training camp has been all about regaining my rhythm that abandoned me in my last fight. I’ve had perhaps the best sparring sessions of my career and I’m coming into the fight with a chip on my shoulder.”
The main event between Martin and Esquivias is far from being the only attraction of the night. The undercard of Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “Locked n’ Loaded” event features five undefeated and promising prospects in divisions ranging from the biggest at heavyweight, to among the lightest at flyweight.
