Former two-division world champion Kiko Martinez has decided to retire from professional boxing after a career spanning almost 20 years. Martinez, aged 37, competed in multiple weight classes and regularly challenged for world titles, managing to secure championships in two distinct divisions.
Kiko Martinez (44-12-2, 31 KO’s) has been a trailblazer for Spanish fighters, earning recognition as one of the finest boxers to emerge from the country throughout his active years and even until his retirement. His most recent bout ended in a unanimous decision loss to Japanese featherweight contender Reiya Abe (25-3-1, 10 KO’s) in Japan.
Despite Martinez’s double-digit losses, he stands out as one of the rare boxers who dared to face the best, evident from his clashes with renowned fighters like Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz, and Gary Allen Russell Jr.
Throughout his career, Kiko Martinez consistently sought greatness and marked his efforts with two world titles: one at super bantamweight and another at featherweight. His significant triumph came through a TKO victory over Kid Galahad (28-3, 17 KO’s), a former world champion who had previously held the IBF featherweight title before Martinez’s victory.
Martinez also clinched a super bantamweight title by defeating then-IBF champion Jonatan Romero (35-2, 19 KO’s). Alongside these two world titles, Martinez secured several mid-tier and continental titles, including the European super bantamweight title (which he won thrice at that weight), the WBC Latino title (at 122 lbs), and two additional conquests of the European title at featherweight.
The retirement announcement came through Martinez’ social media outlets where he expressed his heartfelt thanks to his team and fans before declaring his retirement in Spanish.
Kiko Martinez’s legacy as one of Spain’s most accomplished professionals will endure into his retirement. On a global scale, he can be rightfully regarded as a future Hall of Famer due to his enduring career, tenacity, accomplishments, and professionalism in the world of boxing.
