Peltz Boxing: David Martinez Steps In To Challenge NABF Champ Rogers Mtagwa In Philly

ByBoxing Press

David Martinez, of Albuquerque, NM, will challenge champion Rogers Mtagwa, of Philadelphia, PA, for Mtagwa’s NABF Featherweight title in the scheduled 12-round main event Friday evening, March 7, at the New Alhambra in South Philadelphia.

Univision/Telefutura will televise the Mtagwa-Martinez match as well as the eight-round featherweight semifinal between Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, PA, and Castulo Gonzalez, of Lynn, MA, as part of its popular Solo Boxeo series. The televised show begins at 8 p.m. with the Kennedy-Gonzalez bout.

Martinez, 25, accepted the fight earlier this week after Mtagwa’s original challenger, Roger Gonzalez, of Chino, CA, sustained injured ribs in a Los Angeles sparring session.

A pro since 2002, Martinez is 18-3 (3), with his losses coming to contenders Bernard Dunne, Tomas Villa and ex-world title holder Clarence “Bones’ Adams. In his last fight Sept. 21 in Bernalillo, NM, Martinez scored a shutout eight-round decision over Paulino Villalobos, of Veracruz, Mexico.

Mtagwa, 28, won the vacant NABF title July 20 in the same ring when he earned a 12-round split decision over Aldo Valtierra, of Mexico City, Mexico. Fighting only once since then, Mtagwa moved up in weight but lost on points to Australian Billy Dib in an eight-round contest Nov. 10 in Madison Square Garden. A pro since 1997, Mtagwa is 22-12-3, 17 K0s.

In the co-feature bout, Teon Kennedy, 21, will be going eight scheduled rounds for the first time in his brief career. The former National Golden Gloves Champion at 112 pounds in 2004, Kennedy turned pro 12 months ago and has won all seven pro fights, four by knockout. However, he has never boxed an opponent with a winning record. In his last fight Dec. 12, Kennedy scored a four-round decision over Arthur Parker, of Lancaster, PA.

Gonzalez, 30, is originally from Guatemala and has a 9-4 (4), record. Three of Gonzalez’ setbacks were to undefeated fighters, including current USBA super bantamweight champion Mike Oliver, of Hartford, CT. Gonzalez also pinned the first loss on Philadelphia’s Ramaz Gazashvili in 2005 in Manchester, NH.

Five preliminary fights complete the card, which is promoted by Don Chargin Productions, Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. First bout of the evening starts at 7:30PM.

Tickets priced at $40, $55 and $65 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., (215-765-0922) and also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.