McWilliams Arroyo did not lose his starting opportunity, although new will be for an interim scepter.
The Puerto Rican who almost saw his dream of going for a world crown fade again when Mexican and current World Boxing Council (WBC) fly champion Julio César Martínez announced 24 hours before Friday’s weigh-in towards a injury that would prevent him from defending his belt, already has a rival and will be to dispute the interim reign of this weight.
Arroyo, 35, who weighed 111.8 pounds in the weighing ceremony at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium hotel bubble, will face fellow Aztec Abraham Rodriguez, who has a 27-2 and 13 KO ‘s record. , and who among his defeats has one in 2018 against Puerto Rican Angel “Tito” Acosta. “An injury to his right hand left Martinez out, but thank God we were able to get Abraham Rodriguez but with a lot of effort,” said Bryan Perez, executive director of the company Miguel Cotto Promotions, who handle the Arroyo race. “Rodriguez must be arriving today (Friday) to do the weight and comply with all protocols. The fight will also be a title fight as was the commitment of the World Boxing Council (WBC) and its president “This is the third time that McWilliams has lost the fight due to some situation in the championship. So McWilliams will go for the interim title,” he said.
Rodriguez comes from four straight wins. The last of these in March 2020. This is the third time Arroyo will go after a world title. The first lost to Thai Amnat Ruenroeng, in a very controversial clash, and lost in 2016 to Román “Chocolatito” Martínez by unanimous decision in a fight where the Puerto Rican had a great show.
“Thank God the matter was resolved,” Arroyo said. “I’m lucky that I was honored. I did a great workout and the effort will not be lost. The truth is that when I learned that Martinez could not fight it was a surprise and much more the day before a weigh-in. It seems that “Destiny doesn’t want to see us together. But things are happening. I have the opportunity now. It’s a world title and we are ready. I will go to do my job on Saturday and bring this title to Puerto Rico,” said Arroyo.
The fight of Rierol and Martinez will be the co-stellar event of the evening to be stellarized by the defense of the double supermediate champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez against the Turkish Avni Yildrim.
Arroyo has professional mark of 20-4 and 15 KO’s. His twin brother, McJoe Arroyo was already champion on one occasion, now he is missing.