Undefeated rising star Sergeant Sammy “The Who Can Mexican” Vasquez (20-0, 14 KOs) will square off against Los Angeles-native Aron Martinez (20-4-1, 4 KOs) in a welterweight showdown as part of the inaugural Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Saturday, January 23 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
The return of primetime boxing to FOX is headlined by undefeated Danny “Swift” Garcia (31-0, 18 KOs) and former world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (33-3-1, 18 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight showdown. The night of televised action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FOX and in Spanish on FOX Deportes
“I’m exciting to be fighting Aron Martinez and to be fighting on this big stage in a fight that I think the fans will really enjoy,” said Vasquez. “This is just another stepping stone for me to move closer to my goal of fighting for a world title. This will be my first time fighting in California and I’m sure the fans out there will enjoy my exciting style of fighting. I’ve always wanted to fight at STAPLES Center and now I have my chance. I’ll be a long way from home but it’s a nice feeling that all of my fans who can’t make it will get to watch me on FOX.”
“This is a great opportunity that I am very thankful for,” said Martinez. “Sammy is a great fighter that I have a lot of respect for but Los Angeles is my home. I intend on defending my turf and coming out victorious at STAPLES Center on January 23.”
This battle of welterweights pits one of the rising stars of the division, Vasquez, against an experienced fighter who has made a mark in 2015, in the hometown fighter Martinez.
The 29-year-old Vasquez has fought professionally since 2012, after serving two tours of duty in Iraq as a member of the National Guard. He made it to the semifinals of the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials and won gold at the 2010 and 2011 Armed Forces Boxing Championships. The fighter out of Monessen, Penn., has notched big victories in 2015 having defeated Wale Omotoso in June and stopping Jose Lopez in September. Now comes the toughest test as a pro for the southpaw who looks to make his way to the top of the welterweight division.
The 34-year-old Martinez earned his biggest win to date in October when he surged from behind to defeat former world champion Devon Alexander in October of this year. Earlier in 2015 Martinez nearly took down another world champion in Robert Guerrero but was denied a victory via a split decision despite dropping Guerrero in the fourth round. Born in Mexico but fighting out of East Los Angeles, Martinez turned pro in 2004 and racked up ten straight victories between 2009 and 2012.
