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Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim Super Middleweight Title

Published 22 March 2026

Lester Martinez of Guatemala captured the vacant WBC interim super middleweight title on Saturday night, dominating Immanuwel Aleem over 12 rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory in San Bernardino, California. The 30-year-old fighter, now 20-0-1 with 16 knockouts, earned scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 from the judges, marking the first world boxing championship for a Guatemalan athlete.

The bout, which headlined a ProBox TV card at the Orange Show Events Center, showcased Martinez's technical prowess and relentless pressure. He controlled the pace from the outset, using a sharp jab, precise angles and effective defense to keep Aleem, a 22-4-3 veteran from Virginia with 14 knockouts, on the defensive. Martinez pressed forward early, landing heavy combinations to the body and head that slowed Aleem's output. Although Aleem found brief success with counters and an uppercut in the middle rounds, including a competitive ninth where he connected with left hands, Martinez responded with power shots and maintained his volume throughout. The 11th round stood out for its intensity, as Martinez unleashed a flurry that highlighted his stamina in his first fight to go the...

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