It’s been a long 10 months for 29 year old San Antonio, Texas, native Raul “La Cobrita” Martinez (28-1, 16 KOs ). The former NABF Super flyweight champion has been inactive from the ring since November of 2010. There have been delays: training that led to sustaining a cut on his nose to Cristian Mijares moving up in weight and vacating his belt at 115 to 118. This hasn’t stopped Martinez from being inactive in the gym. He’s been training everyday and finally this Saturday in Tijuana, Mexico, “La Cobrita” is pumped and ready to become a
World Champion again.
Aby: How was training camp?
Raul: This training camp lasted for 2 months and I feel great, I had a variety of sparring partners and I’ve been training real hard.
Aby: Raul there’s been so much delay to this fight. You were initially going to fight Cristian Mijares and suddenly he vacated his belt. Do you think he was afraid?
Raul: I think he was. Mijares is at the end of his career and wanted a bigger payday with a bigger name, for example, he called out Nonito Donaire. I feel I would have beaten him and Mijares didn’t want to take that risk. I understand the business side, I understand his decision and I’m sticking to my game plan.
Aby: This Saturday is a rematch with Rodrigo Guerrero. You won last time. You’re coming strong with great skills, a style you can change from puncher to boxer with some crispy clean combos. So, what’s Guerrero’s biggest advantage?
Raul: Guerrero has a lot of heart and is an excellent warrior. Last fight I hurt him in the 9th rd with body shots and he also has a strong chin. I definitely have to be focused this Saturday.
Aby: If you win Saturday, what happens next?
Raul: My goal is to win and most likely unify my belts and if not I would love to move up to 118 and try to win the title there.
Raul and his team will be arriving tomorrow in Tijuana, Mexico, and train until the weigh-in on Friday. Raul stated, “Hopefully come back home Sunday as a World Champion!” This is clearly going to be one hell of a fight. Rodrigo Guerrero is clearly hungry and relentless but hands down “La Cobrita” will outshine him once again and I predict a KO!