Friday, May 20 marks the return of SoCal’s highly touted super bantamweight prospect Chris “SD Kid” Martin (21-0-2, 6KOs) of Chula Vista, CA., as he shares the stage with fellow 24-year-old Southern Californian prospect and rival Charles the “Pride of Paramount” Huerta (16-2, 9KOs) in the 10 round Solo Boxeo Tecate super bantamweight main event at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA., broadcast on Spanish Language Network’s Telefutura and presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Roy Englebrecht Promotions.
24-year-old talent laden California State Featherweight Champion Chris Martin is relatively unknown outside his regional domain, but with an eye-catching performance in 2010 that saw the “SD Kid” handily beat then unbeaten SHOWTIME prospect Chris Avalos on “ShoBox” The Next Generation, Martin hoped to hold a permanent post in the minds of contenders and boxing aficionado’s alike. Unfortunately for the ballsy volume scrapper from America’s Finest, Martin found himself back in the ring with trial horses on the local scene instead of receiving sufficient recognition for the conquering of Avalos and the superior opponents that come along with that allowance.
Martin, who is a full time correction’s officer in San Diego, has since knocked out Jose Araiza in eight and won an 8 round listless unanimous decision over journeyman Yogli Herrera, which was much closer than the judges wide scoring. While Martin has had rocky moments and close calls he’s successfully navigated over all speed bumps seeking to make his presence known on the boxing landscape, and vanquishing another upstart like the popular Charles Huerta will firmly root that foundation.
The “Pride of Paramount” Charles Huerta has too encountered hurdles in his prospective path to glory but unlike antagonist Chris Martin, Huerta tripped up, experiencing two set back losses and throwing a question mark into the blue print of Golden Boy’s coveted young standout. Huerta’s train was first derailed in 2009 when he sank like a stone against Derrick Wilson after a fire fight ensued and Huerta was clobbered by a left hook to the jaw in a tremendous opening round upset. Huerta then realized five bounce back victories before stepping onto Martin’s home turf of San Diego in his last bout for a Solo Boxeo main event against prospect Raul Hilares Jr., that once again saw Huerta hit a road block losing an eight round split decision while the “SD Kid” sat ringside with his eyes set on potential prey.
Despite the loss Martin will still get a shot at Charles and considering Huerta has fallen on hard times, he still has several things going for him such as a stout left hook, belief in himself and a support system that continue to trust he can make it to the top. Another thing the “Pride of Paramount” has in his favor is an amateur victory over Martin while also owning the “title” of being the only man to ever put Chris on the seat of his pants, at any level. So while one man seeks revenge in the “Kid,” the other looks to solidify his superiority in Huerta, and a win against the surging WBC #10 and IBF #9 rated Chris Martin can put Huerta right back where he seeks to be, on the cornice of world title contention.
In the 8 round super featherweight co-feature, 21-year-old undefeated Santa Ana prospect Ronny Rios (13-0, 6KOs) throws hands with 30-year-old Russian Georgie Kevlishvili (12-1, 3KOs), as both men look to improve on their impressive resume’s while sending the other back to the war room for modification’s.
In other action, after a storied amateur career that saw him collect a treasure trove of belts and awards, 26-year-old undefeated Tulsa, Oklahoma native DonYil Livingston (3-0, 2KOs), also known as the “Boxing Poet,” will lock horns with 30-year-old Loren “Axe” Myers (7-11-1, 2KOs) of Fresno, California. Born from a fighting pedigree, the “Boxing Poet” possesses all the tools to build a legacy and is one to keep an eye on.
Chris “SD Kid” Martin is a savvy technical fighter willing to go toe-to-toe but able to think while atop the canvas and make the needed adjustments mid-fight if need be, a trait Huerta lacks thus far. Martin took KO artist Chris Avalos out of his game plan while displaying that ability and Avalos had no plan B for the unheralded “SD Kid,” who put on a clinic. The judges awarded Martin with a split-decision victory over Avalos but Chris won by a street and I assume he’ll do the same tomorrow night by befuddling the hard hitting left hook specialist Charles Huerta, while out boxing him to a conclusive unanimous decision triumph.
It’s possible the bout will be for a regional title and not just territorial bragging rights, setting up either warrior for big things to come sooner rather than later. So be sure to catch the exciting festivities tomorrow night from the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa or tune into Telefutura, as the “SD Kid” looks to ruffle some Golden feathers in pursuit of blood and treasure.