By Jake Donovan
McJoe Arroyo will next challenge for a 115 lb. title after scoring a unanimous decision over Philippines' Mark Geraldo in their 12-round super flyweight eliminator Saturday evening in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
UNDERCARD
Roman Martinez enjoyed a triumphant return to the ring following a 13-month hiatus. The former 130 lb. titlist scored a second round knockout of Hebert Quartey in his first fight as a full-time lightweight.
The bout was a mismatch from the moment it was formed - barely two days before fight night. Martinez was without an opponent all the way up until after the final presser during fight week, at which point event handlers stumbled upon Quartey, who - according to boxing database website BoxRec.com - was making his pro debut.
Martinez closed the show in round two, putting Quartey down for the full ten count courtesy of a body shot. The fight was waived off at 2:33 of round two.
The win is Martinez' first since scoring a narrow points win over Diego Magdaleno in his lone successful 130 lb. title defense last April. The 31-year old Boricua advances to 28-2-2 (17KOs) in fighting for the first time since losing his title to Mikey Garcia last November.
Future plans call for Martinez to pursue a shot either at Terence Crawford, or possibly a vacant title once the current World lineal lightweight champion moves up in weight.
Another comeback also resulted in a 2nd-round knockout win, as Jose 'Chelo' Gonzalez had his way with Portugal's Joan Antonio Bento (27-15-2, 15KOs).
Gonzalez scored three knockdowns on the night, one in the opening round and then two more in the desicive second round. The fight ended with the former lightweight challenger scoring a flush right hand to Bento's jaw, as the journeyman was floored and still dazed as he attempted to rise to his feet.
The official time was 2:27 of round two.
Gonzalez improves to 23-1 (18KO) with a much-needed win following a 19-month ring hiatus. His last fight ended in despair and disgrace, quitting on his stool after nine rounds of a title fight with then-lightweight titlist Ricky Burns, in which Gonzalez was up on all three scorecards before citing a wrist injury as his reason for the untimely exit.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as the official records keeper for Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a voting member of Boxing Writers Association of America.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
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