Lester Martinez Vs. Immanuwel Aleem For WBC Interim Super Middleweight Championship On ProBoxTV March 21

Boxing history will be on the line when WBC #3-ranked Lester Martinez faces WBC FECARBOX and #14-ranked Immanuwel “The Chosen One” Aleem on Saturday, March 21, as the WBC Board of Governors has voted unanimously in favor to sanction the fight for the WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship.

Martinez (19-0-1, 16 KOs) from Guatemala City, Guatemala, will be looking to become his country’s first-ever world champion when he takes on Richmond, Virginia’s Aleem (22-3-3, 14 KOs) in the main event of ProBoxTV’s “The Contender Series,” broadcast live (7 pm EST/4 pm PST) from the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, California.

“I really thought I won the fight on September 13, and it’s been frustrating to not get a rematch with Mbilli,” said Lester Martinez. “I very much appreciate Mauricio and the WBC Board of Governors for giving me this opportunity. It’s been my dream to be the first Guatemalan champion ever. I can’t wait for March 21.”

It’s been a roller coaster ride to get to this dream fight for Martinez, who hasn’t been in the ring since his “Fight of the Year” split draw with now WBC World Champion Christian Mbilli in a battle for the interim world title in September. Considered a highlight of the entire show, the fight was televised live on Netflix on the undercard of Terence Crawford’s victory over Canelo Alvarez.

Because of the competitive nature of the fight, the WBC ordered an immediate rematch between the two, which was effectively canceled earlier this year after Crawford was abruptly stripped of the WBC belt he won beating Alvarez and Mbilli was elevated to full champion.

Martinez personally petitioned the WBC to elevate his fight with Aleem to an interim title fight earlier this week while being honored with a ring in the shape of the sanctioning body’s symbolic green and gold belt for his Fight of the Year with Mbilli.

His efforts appear to have worked, as the approval is granted and the 30-year-old is now one fight away from boxing history.

The WBC based its support elevating Martinez vs. Aleem to a title fight based on a few important factors: Mbilli vs Martinez was awarded the Fight of the year 2025 by the WBC. A rematch for such fight was ordered by the WBC but for a variety of reasons such could not be materialized. Mbilli, who is the WBC World Champion, will not be active for a prolonged period of time, while Martinez vs Aleem has been secured to happen in the immediate future.

“As President of the WBC, I am thrilled to know such an amazing young man as Lester,” said Mauricio Sulaiman, “We are committed to supporting boxing and its development, worldwide.”

ProBoxTV’s Garry Jonas says he’s happy for Lester and his team, who was one point, or two rounds, away from winning a fight many thought he deserved to win. One judge scored it 97-93 for Martinez, one had it 96-94 for Mbilli, and one saw it even at 95-95. Jonas is also excited to be able to present a world championship fight in his March 21 main event.

“I’d like to thank the WBC for granting Lester this opportunity,” said ProBoxTV CEO and Founder Garry Jonas. “I know it’s not easy doing their job with all the twists and turns that can take place at this level of the sport. This is a fair and reasonable outcome that Lester gets a chance to fight for the same belt he competed with Mbilli for. This is a big deal for Lester and his country. Guatemala has never had a world champion and we’re very hopeful he can bring the belt home on March 21.”

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