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21-year-old super featherweight prospect Xavier Martinez will make his second ShoBox appearance of 2019 on November 1st, headlining a four-fight Mayweather Promotions-led card in Las Vegas against Jessie Cris Rosales.
“This is our second ShoBox show of the year and we’re happy to have made Sam’s Town our home for these events,” says Mayweather Promotions CEO, Leonard Ellerbe. “I can’t say enough that this is the perfect setting and platform to showcase our upcoming prospects. Xavier Martinez is one to watch for as he headlines his first ShoBox card. We have a very exciting line-up of fighters, both on and off-television, making for a card that you don’t want to miss.”
Martinez (14-0, 10 KO looked the goods in April, blowing up John Moralde in three for his sixth consecutive stoppage victory. Rosales (22-3-1, 10 KO) doesn’t figure to pose a stiffer test, having suffered knockout losses to Jhonny Gonzalez and Shakur Stevenson in two of his last four. He did fight unbeaten Tyler McCreary to a split decision last time out, though.
“I am really excited to get back into the ring,” said the 21-year-old Martinez. “Sam’s Town has become my home away from home and I’ve had a lot of great performances there. I’m really just looking forward to putting on a great performance again on national television and reaching a larger audience. Soon enough everyone will know who Xavier Martinez is.”
“He’s undefeated, but I have far more experience with better guys so I have that advantage coming into this fight,” Rosales said. “I’m coming off two tough fights and this one is going to be another great fight to test myself as a fighter as well as a good show for the fans. I’m back in the gym working on a couple of things, and I’m coming into this fight stronger and sharper.”
Earlier in the evening, Brooklyn’s Richardson Hitchins (9-0, 5 KO), who represented Haiti in the 2016 Games before falling to Gary Antuanne Russell, takes on 7-1 Kevin Johnson (not that one) in a super lightweight clash. Middleweight Kevin Newman II (10-1-1, 6 KO) looks to avenge a 2017 UD loss to PBC regular Mark Anthony Hernandez (14-2-1, 3 KO), while lightweight puncher Rolando Romero (9-0, 8 KO) kicks things off against TBA.