Lester Martinez further strengthened his position as a key figure in the WBC super middleweight title picture with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Immanuwel Aleem to claim the interim championship.
The unbeaten contender controlled all twelve rounds at the Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, with scorecards of 120-108, 119-109, and 118-110 reflecting a performance that never looked in doubt.
Martinez dictated the pace, kept things measured, and did what was required without overreaching.
The bottom line was Martinez didn’t need to take risks.
After the fight, Martinez responded to a question on possibly facing Canelo alvarez.
“I believe we are ready for Canelo,” Martinez said. “Not only are we ready, but I believe I can beat Canelo Alvarez. I have to.”
Martinez, Mbilli and the Canelo route
As World Boxing News revealed in February, Christian Mbilli has already made his intentions clear after being elevated to full WBC champion — he, too, wants Canelo next.
“I would love to fight him to show that I’m the best of the division,” Mbilli exclusively told WBN. “I want to prove it in the ring.”
Mbilli’s stance at the top of the division points firmly toward a high-profile clash with Alvarez, with discussions around a potential meeting later this year continuing to gather momentum.
The interim champion is now aligned to face the winner of that proposed bout, with the WBC’s super middleweight structure beginning to fall into place.
Martinez and Mbilli are already linked through their split draw on the Canelo undercard in Las Vegas last September, leaving unfinished business that now carries far greater weight.
Current expectations suggest Canelo and Mbilli could meet in the fall, with Martinez likely to feature on the same bill. Should that scenario play out, the winners could then collide in December to determine the outright WBC super middleweight champion.
However, the route is not guaranteed. If Alvarez comes through, Martinez would still need a defining victory over a recognized name to secure that opportunity.
That is the reality of his position — close enough to be considered, not yet secure enough to be confirmed.
For now, Martinez has done his part. He remains unbeaten, holds a version of the WBC title, and has placed himself exactly where a contender needs to be when the bigger decisions are made.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
