Sycuan Ringside Promotions has signed the No. 2-ranked bantamweight in the world, Mauricio Martinez of Panama, to an exclusive, multi-year promotional agreement. Martinez, the former World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion, is ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Association and the WBO among 118-pounders and has a record of 30-6-1 with 21 knockouts. The 30-year-old southpaw also is ranked No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation and No.13 by the World Boxing Council.

     
Martinez, who is managed by Randall Ramirez, was the WBO bantamweight champion from 2000 to 2002.  He won the title with a fifth-round knockout of Lester Fuentes Sept. 4 in England and then defended successfully Dec. 16 with a first-round knockout of Esham Pickering in England.

     
Martinez, who has won 11 of 12 bouts dating back to February of 2003, won the WBO Latino bantamweight championship with a 10th-round knockout of Edinso Torres Nov. 19 and successfully defended in his most recent outing, a second-round knockout of Diego Martinez March 26.  Both bouts were in Panama.

     
“With him being ranked No. 2 by two of the major organizations, we hope it won’t be long before Mauricio fights for and wins another world championship,” said Glenn Quiroga, president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions.

     
“We welcome Mauricio to the Sycuan Ringside Promotions family and are confident he’ll enjoy the same success that our other boxers have,” said Willie Tucker, executive vice president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions.

     
“Mauricio has fine power for a bantamweight which will hold him in good stead at 118 pounds and as he moves up in weight,” said Scott Woodworth, vice president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions.

     
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport.  Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had four world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts on premium cable networks. 

     
Martinez joins many other notable boxers in Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ stable, including welterweight world champion Carlos Baldomir, World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, undefeated former World Boxing Organization junior featherweight champion Joan Guzman, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz and undefeated teenage sensation Jorge Paez Jr.

    
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president.