A Top Rank fresh start for Xavier Martinez after Mayweather Promotions

Undefeated super featherweight Xavier Martinez fights under the Top Rank banner for the first time after leaving Mayweather Promotions.

They say that a bit of change will do you good. If that’s the case, then undefeated super featherweight Xavier Martinez is headed towards some exciting times in boxing because there have been many changes for the 24-year-old as of late.

Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs) is making his debut with new promoter Top Rank on Saturday, Jan. 29, in the main event against 2016 Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao. It’s a big opportunity for Martinez, who gets to show his skills to the world on ESPN.

Martinez last fought in May 2021 and defeated Juan Carlos Burgos by unanimous decision. He had Burgos hurt several times but couldn’t put the iron-chinned Burgos away. Burgos has never been stopped, but Martinez thought he had a chance to be the first.

“I was like, damn, I made this fight harder than what I needed to, honestly,” Martinez told FanSided. “But I think it was just having the crowd there made me want to just you know, just fight. I could have made that fight way easier. I give myself a C. I think I could have done way better.”

Martinez is a harsh critic. All three judges scored the bout 99-91 for Martinez.

Conceicao is a considerable step up. In the Brazilian’s last outing, he gave WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez all he could handle. Martinez believes Conceicao put on a good show against Valdez but thinks that Valdez may have been distracted by his failed test for the stimulant phentermine.

Watch Xavier Martinez vs. Robson Conceicao on Jan. 29 on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET

“Personally, I felt like Valdez wasn’t fully mentally there due to, you know, all the other stuff going on with the PEDs and this and that,” explained Martinez. “So I felt like Valdez kind of made him look a little better then what he is, personally, but I’m not saying Conceicao is not good because he is.”

Martinez will need to fight his best to best Conceicao, but he seems happy with his new promotional home Top Rank. He was signed to Mayweather Promotions, but he elected to join the Top Rank team after his contract ran out.

Martinez appreciates all that Mayweather Promotions did for him, but a lack of ring activity may have been one of the factors prompting him to sign with Top Rank.

“Mayweather Promotions did a lot for me,” said Martinez. “And, you know, they got me to where I am right now. But I think the inactivity part was an issue. I want to at least fight three times a year, and I felt like I wasn’t even getting that. So I think being with Top Rank was, you know, the best decision to go with.”

Martinez fought three times in 2019 but only had a fight a year after. He’s hoping his union with Top Rank will change that, but he has to get by Conceicao in a WBC title eliminator. That last fact was a pleasant surprise for Martinez. He entered the match against Conceicao, not knowing it was a title eliminator.

“Honestly, I didn’t get told it was eliminator at first,” revealed Martinez. “I just got told you’re fighting Conceicao on ESPN main event. And I was like, alright. Let’s go. Once I seen it was a title eliminator, I was like, okay. That motivated me a lot more.”

Martinez has lots of motivation heading into his matchup with Conceicao. He’s the father to seven-month-old Mila, adding a new hunger to achieve his dreams.

“I feel like if I don’t shine, she doesn’t eat,” said Martinez. “You know, it’s crazy. The other night because I’m not staying home right now. I’m still with my dad, you know, separated everything from us because I’m in camp. I was looking at a picture of her. I got, you know, a little emotional, teary-eyed because I want to do everything right for her. I just want to win for her. She’s played a major motivational part in my life.”

Talking to Martinez, he seems happy, confident and focused. Yes, life has changed for him in many ways, but for the better. Martinez hopes that newfound joy will materialize into a victory against Conceicao and a WBC title opportunity.