Robson Conceição W10 Xavier Martinez ... 2016 Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição did not experience a letdown Less than five months removed from a loss to WBC super featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez [that many feel was an unjust decision], Conceição earned a one-sided decision over the previously undefeated Xavier Martinez in a ten-round bout on Saturday evening in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Conceição (17-1, 8 KOs) won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. He landed more punches than Martinez (17-1, 11 KOs) in each of the final five rounds. [The fight was billed as a WBC title eliminator despite onlybeing a ten rounder.]

 

After the fight, Conceição called out for a rematch against Valdez. “I learned a lot from that Oscar Valdez loss, and that’s why I was able to dedicate myself," Conceição said. "I wasn’t discouraged by what happened that evening. I know who I am, and I knew if I put in the work, I could have this type of performance. But my mind is set on Valdez, and I definitely want that shot. To be honest, I think Xavier Martinez punches harder than Oscar Valdez. I felt his punches, but I know this is the type of fight I needed to prepare myself because I’m a world champion level fighter. And I definitely want Oscar Valdez."

 

Martinez, from California, had pockets of success, stunning Conceição in the fourth and ninth rounds. But the heavy blows were few and far between, as the Brazilian ultimately showed his class. Martinez said, "I thought it was closer. I know I didn’t do enough to win. I sat back too much. I didn’t listen to the game plan fully. It is what it is. I’m not going to be a sore loser. He did his thing tonight. It wasn’t my night. I’m not done. This is just the beginning."