New Mexico Boxing

Finishing touches for 'Finito'
Martinez takes on Escalante May 16

If you haven’t heard much about Albuquerque’s David Martinez since he last stepped into the ring, last fall, it isn’t because he’s retired. In fact, “Finito” says he’s far from finished.

On May 16, from the Pechanga Hotel & Casino in Temecula, Calf., televised on Telefutura, Martinez, 18-3-1, KOs, will step into the ring as the opponent for Golden Boy-signed Antonio Escalante, 17-2, 10 KOs, of El Paso, Tex.

“This might be the biggest fight of ‘em all, for me,” says Martinez. “The most important.”

In his last three important step-up fights, Martinez has come up short. In July 2005, against Tomas Villa, he suffered his first pro loss by a tenth round TKO. One year later, in Dublin, Ireland, Bernard Dunne stopped him in eight. Then, just last year, former champ Clarence “Bones” Adams defeated Martinez by a ten-round unanimous decision.

“I’ve been struggling to get to the next level, I even felt like quitting,” admits Martinez. “If I can’t beat guys like Escalante, like Dunne, like Villa, I might as well quit.

“But I know I can do it. For some reason, I haven’t been showing up right in the ring. It got to me for a while, but I’m going to give it another shot.”

Changing camps, at the urging of uncle and former trainer Ray Lopez, has been part of the new plan. In January, Martinez returned to the Hideout Gym in the North Valley, where he’d started out as a pro under the watchful eyes of the Romeros—trainer Dan, Sr., and former world champ, Danny.

“My uncle was a real man about it,” says Martinez. “He told me, ‘I’m not sure I can get you to that next level,’ so he arranged for me to come back here.

“It’s been great. They kept me going . . . push me to do more. There’s a lot of polishing being done.”

Just two weeks after reuniting with the Romeros, Martinez landed a fight against Rogers Mtagwa. No sooner than the contract was signed, Martinez sprained an ankle and was forced to pull out.

“It was probably a blessing in disguise,” says Martinez. “It gave me more time to improve under the Romeros. I thought I was in fighting shape when I came here, but my idea of fighting shape wasn’t the same as the Romeros’ idea of fighting shape.

“Now, as far as Escalante goes, I’m ready for him.”

The El Paso flash, says Martinez, is not only beatable, but has a style made for him.

“He’s a good fighter and has represented this region pretty good,” says Martinez. “But I think he’s a bit overrated. He’s got more punch than me, but he’s not better than me.

“He has fast hands and has beaten some good guys—but he’s also lost, just like me. Because he’s lost, I know I have more than a chance. He’s not that impressive. He reminds me of a newborn giraffe—he can be clumsy and is not very polished.”

Former world champ Johnny Tapia, who’s sparred with, both, Martinez and Escalante, is actually picking the Albuquerque fighter to win, by virtue of his boxing skills.

“Escalante is the perfect style for David,” agrees Martinez’ trainer, Dan Romero, Sr.

“He’s made some mistakes in his career, and fought the wrong fight against Villa and Bones [Adams]—you can’t make a puncher out of a boxer. Against Escalante? I like this fight.”

# # #