Five-time national champion, Olympic alternate Javier Martinez turning pro

Scratch another top amateur from the 2021 Olympics.

Five-time U.S. national champion Javier Martinez, who won the U.S. Olympic Trials at 165 pounds but was named an alternate for the Games, is going pro with the help of Split-T Management.

“Being a casualty of the new Olympic selection process just makes me that much more determined. I am going to show, time and time again why I was deserving of that spot. That said, I am excited to turn professional, and this is the perfect situation. Tim [VanNewhouse] came at me with a good plan for my future and I have a great feeling about him and the whole Split-T family,” said Martinez.

“I want to make something big out of boxing, and provide a better life for myself and family – especially my son. At this point of my life, I feel that Split-T will move me the right way and guide me into becoming a world champion.”

Split-T’s Tim VanNewhouse offered a surprisingly detailed endorsement of his skills.

“Javier has good physical attributes as he stands 6’1″. He has a fan-friendly, pressure style, who stalks his opponents behind a tight defense with well-selected combinations. He enjoys investing in the body, and shows a nice blend of aggression and power. Javier is a fundamentally complete fighter with balance, power and mobility. That is why there were so many people trying to recruit him. Javier’s the type of athlete that will be placed on a fast track and debut in a six-round bout. He will soon be paired with one of the best promoters in the world, and I can’t wait to see him on TV soon,” said VanNewhouse.

Martinez, 23, lost to Joseph Hicks in the Trial finals back in December, but as the tournament was double-elimination, the two rematched a day later. Martinez went on to avenge the defeat, only for Hicks to make the Olympic squad in his place.

The press release states that Martinez will fight professionally at 168 pounds under the tutelage of Jorge Capetillo, whom you may remember as the guy who kept Tyson Fury’s face intact against Otto Wallin last year. He joins a Split-T stable that includes Diego Pacheco, Abraham Nova, Brian Ceballo, and other unbeaten up-and-comers.