Upon learning the news that his opponent Julio Cesar Martinez injured his hand, forcing another cancellation of their bout, McWilliams Arroyo talks to Fight Hub TV about his immediate reaction to the news and where he goes from here.
Arroyo on his fight against Martinez being canceled:
“I was like ‘nah, it can’t be.’ Surprised, you know. Today’s not a day to get that news. But, you know, it’s sad for the public, for everybody. All the Mexicans were rooting for him and all the Puerto Ricans are rooting for me. I believe all you guys are devastated with the news, and actually me and him as well.”
On what this means for him and if he could get a replacement opponent:
“I don’t know, I was told I was going to be (notified) within one or two hours...to confirm if they’re gonna bring a substitute fighter to see if we fight for interim title or whatever. I do not know what’s gonna happen, but I did want to fight, I do want to fight, and let’s see what happens...eight weeks of preparation, I wasn’t handed this opportunity. This fight was gonna happen in August 2020. Destiny doesn’t want to see us in the ring together.
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“If we do ever fight I’m not gonna believe it until the bell rings, to be honest with you. You know but, things happen. It’s frustrating but life goes on. My career cannot depend on only fighting Julio Cesar. I’ve been one year without fighting because he got sick last time. I can’t keep on waiting on him...I gotta fight. I gotta move on.”
On Martinez saying the fight could be rescheduled for another month or two from now:
“And I gotta wait for him?! Come on. My career cannot depend on him. And I hope the WBC understands and takes action in this because it is not fair. I’ve been working my ass off, been waiting for this since a year ago, and all my life I been working for this. So hopefully I can fight.”