Minnesota featherweight prospect Jason “The American Boy” Litzau made his ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights, and Caesar’s Palace debut with a vicious fifth-round TKO over the tough, but out-classed Idelfonso “Poncho” Martinez. Litzau showed great potential, awesome hand-speed, and solid power in both hands, as he unloaded some heavy leather on Martinez, who, coming into the fight, had faced the likes of Daniel Ponce De Leon, Clarence Vinson, and was coming off a win of highly toured prospect Erik Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas. “Poncho,” showing great heart, and determination, kept pressing the much taller and stronger Litzau. Jason’s size, speed, strength, and talent was just too much for Martinez, as Litzau originally turned professional at 130-pounds, with “Poncho” turning pro at 113-pounds. From the third round on, Litzau began to sharp shoot the much shorter Martinez with powerful hooks, stiff straight right hands, and excellent bodywork. Martinez just kept coming, absorbing a vicious beating, but he never quit trying to knock Litzau out.

Halfway through the fifth round, the referee had seen enough and waived the contest off awarding “The American Boy” a TKO victory. It was a solid win for Litzau and he seems to be a prospect that is worth monitoring. He has the size, speed, and talent to become something special in the talent-laden featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight divisions. As for Martinez, this is the type of beating that can completely ruin a fighter and end a career.

Writer’s note: This fight was very hard for this writer to watch because Idelfonso “Poncho” Martinez is a close, personal friend of mine. We have trained together in the past, and he is a wonderful guy with a wife, who is pregnant with their second child, and a son, both of whom depend on his boxing to pay the bills. It was hard to see my friend absorb a beating, but I know that he tried his best and we are all proud of him. Better luck next time, amigo.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com

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