Julio César Martínez: Former WBC Flyweight Champion
Julio César “Rey” Martínez is a Mexican professional boxer from Mexico City who held the WBC flyweight championship from 2019 to 2024. Born on January 27, 1995, he turned professional in 2015 and became known for an aggressive, power-punching approach.
Career and championship record
A fifth-round knockout of Andrew Selby in March 2019 earned Martínez a world-title opportunity. His August meeting with Charlie Edwards initially appeared to end in a third-round stoppage, but Martínez had struck Edwards while the champion was down. The result became a no contest, and Edwards retained his title.
Martínez won the vacant WBC championship against Cristofer Rosales on December 20, 2019, stopping him in round nine in Phoenix. His reign subsequently included defenses against Jay Harris, Joel Córdova, Samuel Carmona and Ronal Batista. The Batista contest ended with an eleventh-round stoppage in May 2023.
In March 2022, Martínez moved up to face Román González at super flyweight and lost a unanimous decision. That contest did not end his flyweight title reign. The WBC announced his voluntary relinquishment of its flyweight championship on May 22, 2024, as he planned to compete at a higher weight.
A later career report in April 2026 described Martínez as a former champion seeking a return after a stoppage loss to Gerardo Valenzuela Muñoz in May 2025. His story therefore extends beyond his championship years, encompassing the transition from a long flyweight reign to rebuilding at heavier weights.
Sources
Related reading: boxing · World Boxing Council preview · BoxRec profile
Career records and reporting: wbcboxing.com; wbcboxing.com; wbcboxing.com; ringmagazine.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
