Hailing from Guatemala, the 29-year-old fighter initiated an aggressive offense from the outset, continuously engaging Aleem. His higher punch volume, consistent close-range presence, and sustained activity allowed him to secure early rounds. While Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs) managed occasional lulls in action to exploit vulnerabilities, these instances were fleeting and insufficient to alter the bout’s overall trajectory.
The judges’ tallies remained consistent, reflecting no dramatic shifts in performance. Martinez incrementally expanded his advantage throughout the rounds, reaching a point in the latter part of the contest where Aleem required a decisive turn of events to alter the outcome. Such a turning point never materialized. The concluding bell signaled the end of a match where the scoring predominantly favored one participant.
This victory comes after Martinez’s 2025 stalemate against Christian Mbilli and bestows upon him an interim championship at the 168-pound weight class. Furthermore, it represents a historic achievement for Guatemala, as Martinez stands as the nation’s inaugural boxer to claim a world title.
Aleem, who has been a challenger for an extended period, was enlisted to gauge the victor’s seasoned skill and resilience. He managed to offer intermittent competition but proved unable to sustain Martinez’s offensive pace throughout the entirety of the 12 rounds. Martinez is anticipated to maintain an active fighting schedule in 2026.
This triumph for Lester, at 30 years old, positions him for a potential clash against the victor of the upcoming September encounter featuring WBC super middleweight titleholder Mbilli and Canelo Alvarez. While a matchup with the winner of that bout is not guaranteed for Martinez, he and his promotional team possess grounds to contend for such an opportunity.
Aleem exhibited fortitude when facing the more powerful punches from Martinez; however, his offensive efforts were insufficient to exert the necessary pressure to render the contest truly close. The scenario highlighted Aleem’s diminished punch volume, which ultimately hindered his prospects of securing a victory against Lester on this evening.
