According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Jr. Lightweight champion Roman Martinez hurt his hand and as to postpone his March 12 title defend with Miguel Berchelt.
“Definitely Rocky will not fight on March 12,” PR Best Boxing vice president Peter Rivera said. “Rocky had a pain in the hand, and we went last week to see Dr. Santiago Figueroa, who specializes in hand injuries and is one of the best in Puerto Rico, and he prescribed some medication to Rocky. But the pain continued, and we went to see him again [Thursday]. After the evaluation, Dr. Santiago Figueroa gave him the diagnosis and advised him not to punch with that hand and rest for four weeks.
“As soon as the doctor notified us [Thursday], we talked with the people from Zanfer Promotions [Berchelt’s promoter] to let them know of the situation and to work the possibility of a new date for the fight.”
“I feel bad for all Puerto Rican fans, including some people who already had tickets to go to Mexico with us, but I had to be 100 percent and I could not disappoint my country fighting there injured,” Martinez said. “Now I have to follow the instructions of the doctor and wait patiently until they give me the green light to train at a high level again. Everyone knows I’ll be ready to return to the ring and defend my title when I recover.”
Said Rivera: “Unexpected things happen, and fights fall through. It’s better this way for Rocky, rest the hand and not punch. Let us hope that he does not have to undergo surgery. Rocky is a warrior. He wanted to go ahead with the fight but recognizes that for the sake of his career it’s better to follow the doctor’s recommendation. Everyone knows that Rocky does not shy away from opponents, so when it recovers, he will be ready for anyone.”
Zanfer Promotions head Fernando Beltran said he hopes to find a substitute opponent for Berchelt (28-1, 25 KOs), 24, to fight March 12.
“It’s a very unfortunate situation,” Beltran said. “We, as winner of the auction, had fulfilled all that there was for us to do and had everything ready. Berchelt had an exceptional training camp for two months, and it will not be in vain.”
