Lester Martínez

Martínez was born on 17 October 1995 in the municipality of Melchor de Mencos in Petén Department, but grew up in San Benito.^[1][2] He began boxing at the age of twelve and won the schoolboy national championship in 2009.^[2] He soon moved to the capital, Guatemala City, to continue his development.^[1] He won his first international competition in 2011, earning a gold medal at that year's Central American Championships in Managua.^[2] The following year, he repeated as Central American champion and won gold at the Panamerican School Games before taking home a silver at the Youth World Championships in Yerevan, becoming the first Guatemalan to ever medal at an AIBA world championship.^[2] He also lost to Jamel Herring in the 2012 American Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament. After achieving back-to-back first-place finishes at the Central American Games in 2013 and 2017,^[2] he became the first Guatemalan boxer in 68 years to win gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games when he beat former World and Olympic champion Arlen López for the middleweight crown in 2018.^[3]

In January 2019 Martínez announced his decision to go pro by signing a deal with Latin ARMS Promotions and former referee Richard Steele as his manager.^[31][32] He trained with Ignacio Beristáin in Mexico, and his first opponent was announced to be 46-year-old Nicaraguan former world champion Ricardo Mayorga, who stated in an interview that he would retire if he lost to the 23-year-old.^[33] On 6 April 2019 he defeated Mayorga by technical knockout (TKO) in the main event of a card in Guatemala City, backing the ex-champion into the ropes with power shots until the referee waved it off in the final second of the second round.^[34][35]

Two months later faced Daniel Montejo in Tijuana, Mexico, scoring three knockdowns en route to a first-round knockout (KO) victory.^[36] After a quick 4–0 start, he went through a long period of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[37] He made his return on 27 August 2020, stopping Mexican rival Abraham Hernández in the second round of their Roy Jones Jr.-promoted fight in Guaymas, Mexico.^[38]

Martínez defeated Carlos Góngora by unanimous decision over 10 rounds at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., USA, on 28 June 2024.^[39][40]

He fought Joeshon James at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California, USA, on 22 March 2025, winning via technical knockout in the fourth round.^[41][42]

On 13 September 2025 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, USA, Martínez challenged WBC interim super-middleweight champion Christian M'billi. The fight ended in a split decision draw.^[43][44]

He got a second chance at the now vacant title when he took on Immanuwel Aleem at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California, USA, on 21 March 2026. Martínez won by unanimous decision.^[45][46]