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SportsTranscript
00:00 Right here is good, right here is good.
00:02 I want a good clean fight.
00:04 Obey my commands at all times above all.
00:06 Protect yourself at all times. Let's go.
00:08 Joe Tessitore and Tim Bradley with you ringside.
00:11 Timmy, the last time we saw Andres Cortez,
00:13 he had a cut after a clash of heads in the 6th round
00:17 in a fight that he won a unanimous decision,
00:19 easily 190 in all three scorecards back in February
00:23 against Luis Melendez.
00:25 Comes in here thinking that a win tonight
00:29 against Martinez will set him up very well
00:32 in the course of the next year for fewer things.
00:34 Well, that explains why he's been out of the ring for so long.
00:36 You've got to let that cut heal up.
00:38 You know, it takes some time for that scar tissue
00:41 to really develop and become strong over that eye.
00:46 Wow. Cortez already getting off to a fast start.
00:50 Pressuring Martinez in that corner.
00:53 Martinez has been out of the ring some time.
00:56 Cortez and his brother, I should say, they know.
01:04 So they're coming out to test his chin early.
01:07 His brother Luis is his trainer.
01:11 That was his inspiration in life.
01:13 Started going to the gym to watch his brother train
01:15 when he was only four years old.
01:18 His brother went on to be a three-time national champion
01:21 as an amateur.
01:22 Actually had an amateur win against Jose Ramirez.
01:30 Yeah, his brother's been by his side his entire career test.
01:33 Been an inspiration to him, to Cortez.
01:36 Has taken over his training regime.
01:39 He's his manager as well.
01:41 They live together. They do everything together.
01:47 I know you've often talked about the unique relationship
01:51 that father-son trainer-fighter has.
01:54 It's come with some criticism from you in recent years.
01:57 What do you make the dynamic of brothers as trainer-fighter?
02:03 It's a bit difficult at times.
02:05 It's family.
02:07 His last time out when he suffered his cut,
02:11 his brother Luis, he made a poor decision
02:14 in trying to stop the match.
02:15 Wasn't sure. He showed that he wasn't an experienced corner or a coach.
02:21 And he got a bit emotional, I saw in the corner.
02:24 Panicked a little bit.
02:26 That's something you can't do in a fight, especially in a corner.
02:30 You can't panic when you see blood.
02:34 But he told us in the fighter meeting that it was a well-learned lesson
02:40 and that he'll be better moving forward.
02:48 Martinez on the other side is trained by veteran Robert Garcia.
02:54 Previously trained by Ray Woods.
02:56 We'll get more into that conversation in a moment.
02:59 Trying to come over the top with that right hand was Cortez.
03:04 Almost getting the elbow involved there.
03:06 But the story with Xavier Martinez is a unique one.
03:09 He was very emotional, very reflective when we met with him yesterday.
03:13 Sent off balance for a moment there in the production meetings.
03:17 As we come to the end of round one, Mark Riegel with more on that.
03:20 Mark?
03:21 The loneliest place in the world is a mind of a fighter.
03:25 After his first loss, Martinez bet everything,
03:28 including a house that was basically beyond his means,
03:31 on beating Hobson and Conce Sal in 2022.
03:34 First he lost the decision, then the house, then came the depression.
03:38 In January, he blew weight so bad he canceled his fight.
03:42 He had just had his second child, a falling out with his coach.
03:45 This guy didn't know if he wanted to live, much less fight.
03:49 But here he is in the co-main.
03:51 He's moved in with his dad.
03:53 He's got another chance with Robert Garcia,
03:56 thanks in large part to Garcia's son, Pita,
03:58 who argued that, hey, whatever happened with the weight,
04:01 Xavier's talented and he's good for our gym.
04:05 And that's why he's with Garcia in that corner.
04:08 We mentioned he was previously trained since he was seven years old by Ray Woods.
04:14 Of course, Woods' family to the late, great Diego Corrales.
04:20 Xavier Martinez readies himself for round number two.
04:23 In round one, Cortez had a 16-6 connect advantage.
04:28 Yeah, I'm looking at this trunks of Cortez.
04:30 He stood up and water was dripping from his trunks into the ring.
04:34 That's something that we've got to keep an eye on.
04:36 Remember, you have the signage in the center of the ring,
04:38 and once it gets wet, it becomes slippery.
04:40 Well, you can see the discoloration over in that red corner.
04:43 And by the way, listen, I know we're obviously inside and there's air conditioning,
04:46 but even at 111 degrees, everybody is dealing with the heat this week.
04:51 You're coming and going from training to restaurants to hotel.
04:56 You just can't avoid it.
04:58 And obviously guys that want to stay as fresh, as hydrated as possible,
05:03 as you see in the locker there.
05:05 We prepare for our main event, Sonesa Estrada, super bad return.
05:10 She's 24-0 the unified champion at 105 pounds.
05:15 [Groans]
05:21 A lot of waiting going on from Martinez.
05:24 He's having a hard time finding his rhythm.
05:27 He's been out of the ring for some time.
05:31 Cortez, on the other hand, is using his jab, using subtle movement,
05:36 and then sliding in behind the right hand,
05:40 getting inside and trying to rough up Martinez.
05:44 Martinez with the two-punch combination.
05:49 See, Martinez is a natural counterpuncher.
05:52 He waits for offense to come.
05:54 But again tonight,
05:58 we didn't warn him right there for hitting the back of the head.
06:01 Cortez is known for hitting behind the head.
06:05 He's been warned several times in fights for hitting behind the head.
06:09 We call those rabbit punches.
06:11 Had a right hand to the body moments ago.
06:13 That was pretty effective as Martinez ties up on the inside.
06:16 Tony Weeks, the veteran referee, will separate them.
06:19 [Crowd noise]
06:47 Now you're starting to see a different Martinez.
06:51 Now he's starting to come forward.
06:53 He's trying to initiate some offense.
06:55 But he's trying to keep his spacing right.
06:57 He doesn't run a rush in there and get into firing range.
07:01 He's trying to keep his distance right, and he's trying to time.
07:03 He's looking for time to rush.
07:05 As you just saw with that right hand trying to go over the top.
07:07 For Cortez.
07:09 And the left hook is a shot that he looks for.
07:13 Cortez now steps to him here to close out with a good exchange here at the end of two.
07:18 Martinez comes back with a right hand against Cortez.
07:23 So the pace quickens at the end of two.
07:25 [Crowd noise]
07:34 Great work.
07:35 Don't wait for him.
07:36 How do you feel?
07:37 Yes.
07:38 You're going to need to get a lot of control from your distance camp.
07:41 Because he's trying to cut and shoot.
07:43 Okay?
07:44 Use a jab, but don't let him fucking time you.
07:46 Go to the body as much as you can.
07:48 Be fucking first.
07:49 You're a much faster fighter.
07:50 Faint.
07:51 Get your rhythm.
07:52 Breathe.
07:53 Breathe.
07:54 Breathe.
07:55 Control your breathing.
07:56 Look, I want you guys to check this inside work right here.
07:58 This is what I'm talking about.
07:59 Roughhousing tactics.
08:00 But that again.
08:01 A forearm.
08:02 Smashing on the face of Martinez.
08:04 That's some dirty stuff right there.
08:06 I don't like that.
08:07 We saw that last week, right?
08:08 We did.
08:09 Maxie Hugh.
08:10 Here's what I want to ask you about.
08:11 What was that?
08:12 What I notice on that is you see the undisputed lightweight champion heading out of the arena here.
08:18 Giving a little fist pump to supernova, Abraham Nova's mascot is Devin Haney.
08:23 Is Devin Haney making news that he will move to 140 and fight Regis Progray?
08:27 Had a great conversation with Mark Kriegel.
08:29 That will be available on the app if you want to go back and watch the replay of that conversation
08:33 between Mark Kriegel and Devin Haney.
08:35 The replay we just saw, there is no way that that was intended as a punch.
08:40 No.
08:41 Because he's so close to the target on the infighting that there's no way that the accuracy was off
08:46 and that that was possibly intended to be a punch.
08:49 No, no, no.
08:50 That was done deliberately.
08:52 One.
08:53 Two.
08:54 The referee, if you saw, he was on the opposite side so he couldn't see that forearm.
08:59 And the other thing to note there in what is somewhat of a veteran move is the position of Tony Weeks,
09:04 the referee.
09:05 Yes.
09:06 The position of Tony Weeks, the referee, also makes you say that was not intended to be an accurate punch.
09:11 Right.
09:12 Absolutely.
09:13 You saw that his back was curled around.
09:15 Tony couldn't necessarily see all the way over to the other side as to what was happening when that was thrown.
09:21 Round number three here.
09:22 Total punches to this point.
09:23 Cortez with a 33 to 18 advantage.
09:29 Bernardo, we mentioned the fact that Robert Garcia is the new trainer of Xavier Martinez.
09:35 What have you picked up there?
09:36 Well, I spoke with Robert and he says, "Look, I just told Xavier, Andres Cortez is not a boxer so you've got to pressure him,
09:44 but you can't do it throwing one shot at a time.
09:46 You've got to throw combinations to break him down."
09:49 It's interesting because Martinez, again, is a natural counter puncher.
09:56 He likes to wait for offense to come his way so he can counter.
10:00 But tonight he's going to have to make up his mind.
10:07 He's going to have to get down and dirty and get into the trenches and bag up Cortez.
10:12 Listen to Robert Garcia because as he started moving forward that last round, he was having a little success against Cortez.
10:21 Mira, clash of heads on the inside. Told you what happened last time there was a clash of heads with Cortez.
10:27 Comes with the right hand to the body again before falling in and tying up.
10:32 That's his exit. That's his exit. And I've seen it multiple times already for Cortez.
10:37 Uppercut should be weighed on him.
10:42 If you have a high boxing IQ, you'll recognize that if your opponent does that several times,
10:48 now you know, "Oh, that's how he's going to do it. Right hand. Alright, I've got a right hand."
10:52 Uppercut weighed on you when you dip low.
10:54 As soon as I see you change that level, right uppercut is coming.
11:13 Anytime Martinez allows Cortez to dictate and initiate the offense, never looks good for him.
11:21 He's having a hard time responding with the volume of Cortez.
11:26 Hey, let's take a look at the punch of the night. It is brought to you by AutoZone.
11:33 And Timmy, it was a good evening for Abraham Nova against Jonathan Romero, this and the third round.
11:38 Oh, he looked stronger than ever. Beautiful.
11:40 Just anticipating the jab coming from Romero.
11:43 Slipping the right hand right over the top, following it back with the right hand.
11:47 And you see the response right there. Having him taste the canvas.
11:51 Beautiful work right there from Abraham Nova.
11:55 And I love that mascot. That is fantastic. Super Nova.
11:58 It's become this. I mean, it's so funny. And it started some years ago with Abraham Nova.
12:03 And there it is. I mean, he's the only pro boxer that goes around with his own giant-sized mascot.
12:09 He had traveled with it from the East Coast, but he's a big sports fan, grew up playing every sport.
12:13 He said, "Why don't we have mascots in boxing?"
12:16 So every ring walk there is Super Nova. Fans love him, crowd loves him.
12:20 It's the signature with the similar matching dyed blonde beard.
12:25 That's awesome. That is so awesome.
12:29 You know, it's interesting, just to wrap up the conversation on Abraham Nova.
12:32 You know, here's a guy that suffered a brutal loss against a world-class fighter.
12:36 A guy who goes on to be a world champion, Robeson Ramirez.
12:39 How you respond after a loss by that?
12:42 Mark brought it up earlier. We were discussing it earlier.
12:45 Nova's responded beautifully.
12:48 Yes, it was. It's all about being resilient.
12:51 You know, Tess, but you've got to go through some things to get better.
12:55 To change some things. But you have to stay strong and you have to stay resilient.
13:00 Because not everything is going to be perfect.
13:02 And when you have bumps along the way, if you stay focused and you stay positive
13:09 and you believe in yourself, good things can happen.
13:12 Well, a bump along the way, that's exactly what happened to Leonela Udica.
13:16 She is coming up in our main event, taking on the challenge of facing Sinisa "Superbad" Estrada.
13:22 There she is. She's relaxed, smiling back in the locker room.
13:26 Well experienced as the former flyweight world champion.
13:29 Had an eight-year run as a champion.
13:31 And last October, her lone career loss.
13:34 Comes to San Diego, puts her belt on the line, and loses a split decision.
13:39 She loses. So now, she comes back and gets this spot in really a spotlight spot.
13:46 A main event against one of the biggest stars in all of women's boxing.
13:50 We will see what Udica offers up.
13:52 The 34-year-old from Argentina coming up in our world title fight.
13:56 Halfway through round number four between Cortez and Martinez.
14:01 See, Cortez' style isn't pretty to the eyes. Not pretty to the eyes, Tess.
14:08 You know, he's a scrapper. I call him a scrapper.
14:10 Likes to get down and dirty.
14:13 Good short left hand on the inside by Martinez.
14:16 Sure was. He got caught standing straight up inside the pocket.
14:20 Martinez timed him perfectly with that shot.
14:22 And then a 2-1 combination from Martinez.
14:25 So now, he's stepping to Cortez and clearly affected him here in round four, Timmy.
14:31 Yeah, Cortez right now is trying to recover, trying to clear his head.
14:39 Fighting off the back foot right now, but not running.
14:43 That tells you right there that he's okay. He's recovered.
14:47 But just trying to get his feet underneath him and trying to set up his next attack.
14:53 Watch the back. Watch this.
14:55 Chopping right hand comes down from Cortez as Martinez crossed that threshold at mid-range.
15:03 Man, those looping right hands behind the head.
15:05 Oh, that was a real body shot right there. Yes, it was.
15:08 Step forward, saw it was so available and just placed it.
15:11 Heard that thud against the left flank of Martinez.
15:14 Well scored by Cortez.
15:16 So, what I was saying before he got rocked.
15:20 Cortez, he has his way of fighting. He has a good style.
15:24 It's not eye appealing, but he's tactically sound.
15:27 He knows where to be and what to do at the right moments.
15:31 That was an entertaining fourth round.
15:33 Let's see how this left hook lands here.
15:48 You see right there, Cortez throws on his own left hook.
15:52 But look, all you need is a small little window of opportunity.
15:56 Cortez literally has his right hand up. He's holding the phone.
16:00 But look how short and precise and accurate that short left hook that Martinez threw.
16:05 Right on the chin. You saw the response of Cortez.
16:09 He buckled just a tad bit, but he was able to recover, get his wits about him.
16:14 And now we're moving on to the next round.
16:17 You're going to come hard. You're going to come hard. Stay sharp. Stay boxing.
16:21 Use the jab as much as you can, but don't let him time you.
16:24 Keep jabbing him. Watch the right hands. Don't throw yourself on the right hands.
16:29 Here are those final instructions from Luis Cortez, the older brother of Andres Cortez.
16:35 Cortez with a 60-44 connect advantage, according to CompuBox.
16:40 If I'm Martinez, if I'm his coach, I'm telling him right now, "Son, you ain't got nothing to lose."
16:45 "You got everything to gain, son. We've been here before. You've been down and out. Let's not forget about that."
16:50 "Let's move forward and let's let these hands go. This could be your last opportunity, so let's put it all on the line tonight."
17:07 Mark Regal, how do you have it scored early?
17:09 38-38, two rounds apiece. But I have Martinez coming on, winning the last two rounds.
17:15 He started just a little bit early.
17:17 Martinez coming on, winning the last two rounds. He started jabbing effectively in the third.
17:22 I love that short left hand he came up with last round. I think you heard him just a little bit.
17:26 Listen, he knew what was coming. Xavier Martinez said, "Cortez is going to try to dirty it up."
17:32 I agree with Robert Garcia. He's got to throw more than just a jab. He's got to throw combinations.
17:37 Mark references the short left hand on the inside. That was one of 36 power punches that Martinez threw in that land.
17:43 He was 11 of 36. High total numbers so far for Martinez in that last round for total punches and power punches.
17:50 Tim, you make the point that if you're Robert Garcia, you would advise Martinez, "Hey, just let the hands go. You've got nothing to lose."
18:08 And then consider the story that we've been telling about Martinez of what happened in his life of having a baby, losing his house,
18:15 the financial pressures, being very honest with us in terms of where his mental health was at the time.
18:22 And then he sees this as a potential life-changing opportunity.
18:25 Turn to us, you ever say, "Listen, I've got to bite down and do my job." It plays into what you're saying.
18:30 The risk/reward factor has to be gauged at a higher threshold.
18:34 Yes, it is. And right now he's coming on strong right now, and I think he's feeling it.
18:38 He has his seed legs back, and I'm talking about Martinez because he's been out of the ring for some time.
18:43 Typically it takes about four rounds to get your seed legs, get back in there, getting used to getting hit with big shots with eight-ounce gloves.
18:50 But now he has his wits about him. He's moving forward, and he's trying to land more offense.
18:56 Stop.
18:58 See, those are moments right there where he's going to wish he can have back,
19:15 because when you have your man near the ropes, you want to try to pin him against the ropes.
19:21 In that time, he let Cortez just roll right back in the center of the ring
19:27 when he had perfect opportunity to attack him and pin him against the ropes.
19:31 Halfway through our scheduled 10-round co-feature fight,
19:41 and then comes one of the best in the business, Sonesa "Superbad" Estrada.
19:45 She says, "I want to be undisputed before the year's out."
19:48 You know it's a family affair. You've heard the story about her father, Joe, and how her boxing changed his life.
19:55 She also shared with us this about her brother.
19:57 Here comes Sonesa Estrada. She's letting her hands go.
20:04 I was born to fight. I just always had that fight in me.
20:08 I was always fighting in school. My brother knew that I was a good, tough fighter,
20:14 so I remember every time we were at a family gathering, he would always challenge other kids and say,
20:21 "I bet you my sister can beat up your sister. I bet you my sister can beat up your brother."
20:26 And we would fight, and yeah, I would always win.
20:29 I love seeing the old video of when she was a little girl fighting.
20:35 You see that video, and you know what? She could probably beat up a lot of little boys back then.
20:39 But her dad brought her to the gym at six years old.
20:43 At eight years old, Sonesa Estrada started with the amateur fights.
20:47 She never stopped, and she has just gotten better and better.
20:51 Yes, there was a time in her pro career where, because of promotional issues, she was shelved.
20:55 She's talked about that, but she came out last time.
20:58 Signs this big contract with Topper. I thought she was flawless last time out.
21:02 That performance we saw back in March when she gathered another belt here at 105 pounds.
21:09 She is on a roll of momentum now.
21:11 Oh, yeah, absolutely. And it all starts from the beginning, Tess.
21:14 That's where it starts from. She started boxing at a young age.
21:17 And her opponent started boxing at 19 years old.
21:20 So she has natural instincts that she's developed inside the gym,
21:24 sparring tons of rounds with girls, with women, girls when she was younger,
21:29 and also young men and boys.
21:32 So, you know, female boxing has taken off to a different level.
21:36 She had over 100 amateur fights.
21:40 Some of the guys that fight don't have over 100 amateur fights.
21:44 And that shows her experience and her knowledge of the game
21:47 and why she's where she's at today.
21:51 Here in the midst of round number six, critical fight for these two men,
21:54 Andres Cortez and Xavier Martinez.
21:57 And then we will have our world title fight, the WBA/WBC minimum weight world championship.
22:04 And it's going to be a fight that's going to be a little bit different.
22:10 And it's going to be a fight that's going to be a little bit different.
22:13 And it's going to be a fight that's going to be a little bit different.
22:16 And it's going to be a fight that's going to be a little bit different.
22:19 And it's going to be a fight that's going to be a little bit different.
22:22 And it's going to be a fight that's going to be a little bit different.
22:25 And it's going to be a fight that's going to be a little bit different.
22:28 And it's going to be a fight that's going to be a little bit different.
22:31 Around that left eye of Xavier Martinez.
22:56 I like the adjustment for Martinez. Now he's attacking the body of Cortez.
23:01 He's shooting shots to the chest and also down to the body, just to make contact.
23:06 And he's trying to take the legs and weaken Cortez.
23:09 Right hand comes in as Cortez was backing up, went straight back into that neutral corner.
23:24 Cortez doesn't like to fight well. He can fight off his back foot, but it's not his strong suit.
23:29 He does better when he's moving forward.
23:32 That's Robert Garcia, trainer for Xavier Martinez.
23:35 End of six gives us the opportunity, Tim, to show us how we apply to you.
23:43 Cortez is the control right now. Martinez is coming on strong.
23:46 Some early work right here from Cortez.
23:49 Sliding in behind with the right hand. Beautiful jabs.
23:53 Just varying up his attack upstairs.
23:56 Catching Martinez early on.
23:59 But then Martinez started putting some punches together. Check him out.
24:02 Body shots, uppercuts, that left hook in between right there.
24:06 That got Cortez's attention, no doubt about it.
24:09 But there's a ton of ebb and flows going back and forth by either of these guys.
24:14 And this is any body's fight that you can do.
24:17 And this is any body's fight to win, to be honest with you.
24:20 It's any body's fight to win. These next few rounds are going to be critical for both men.
24:25 And whoever can sweep these next two, three rounds, I should say, is going to win this fight.
24:31 The fight, to me, is that close.
24:33 I would agree with you. And here comes the stretch when you're so close to victory.
24:37 It's about making that decision.
24:39 Remember yesterday when Martinez turned to all of us on our ESPN Top Rank crew.
24:43 And he said, "You know, how can I turn my back on something?"
24:46 We're talking about boxing, talking about what it takes to have success when he's so close.
24:49 He said, "I see a picture of a guy digging for diamonds."
24:52 And he just turns around when he was so close, when the diamond was within range.
24:56 This is where the mental aspect of boxing takes control.
25:00 In a fight like this, it's at a lot of even moments.
25:02 We saw the CompuBox, you heard what Mark said about scoring this fight.
25:06 You can see it right in front of you.
25:07 Now it's time just to dig a little more, find that diamond.
25:10 That's right.
25:12 You're absolutely right, Tess. Moments like this, fighters dream of.
25:16 We dream of moments like this.
25:18 When all odds are against us, we've had a tough road to get to where we are.
25:23 Stop, stop, stop. Let him up.
25:24 You've got to embrace these moments.
25:26 And you've got to come out on the other side.
25:28 It's going to make you a better fighter, it's going to make you a better person and a better man.
25:32 Moving forward.
25:33 Bernardo, what's the messaging in the Cortez corner?
25:37 They see what we're seeing, that Martinez is coming on.
25:41 So he says, "Look, we've got to work behind the jab.
25:43 It's a close fight, but we're going to close it out."
25:46 Look at that eye now, that left eye of Martinez.
25:49 That just happened while Bernardo was giving his report.
25:52 That the swelling got much worse, and then on the last punch, you could see blood start now.
25:59 So now all that swelling with the abrasion has now turned into a painted red down the left side of the face of Xavier Martinez.
26:09 It has opened up to a cut.
26:11 Stop, stop, stop. Let him up.
26:19 See, these are moments where fighters, you've got to be able to adjust.
26:25 That lead eye is in front to be hit with right hands, the power shots, all jabs.
26:36 Why don't you switch southpaw? That's why it's important for you to have a full arsenal.
26:41 Be able to do it from both ways.
26:43 Put that eye on the back end, keep it out of danger.
26:48 Look at the face of Martinez.
26:52 Yeah, it's nasty.
26:53 Starting to see a lot of the young guys actually resulting to that.
27:02 They are actually turning southpaw.
27:04 They are learning how to fight. I call it the Terrence Crawford syndrome.
27:07 Everybody is starting to do it now.
27:09 Zanisa Estrada is a switch hitter.
27:14 Oh my gosh.
27:15 She actually started off as a southpaw, then went right handed, but she does it effortlessly.
27:19 It becomes so natural to her.
27:21 Stop, stop. Let him up.
27:25 Let him up.
27:26 Cortez boxing well off his back foot.
27:39 End of seven.
27:49 Let's go back and show you how that cut on the swelling of Xavier Martinez opened up.
27:56 Let's take a look at it.
27:58 Just a right hand, straight right hand.
28:01 That was the right hand, and then you see the result.
28:07 And there it is. Look at that in slow motion as you see that pronounced swelling turn into a cut right there.
28:14 But you see the twist at the end of that shot.
28:16 Yes.
28:17 That's what opens up the eye.
28:18 That's what opens up an abrasion right there.
28:21 Twisting at the end of the shot, turning it over.
28:24 Turning those knuckles down.
28:26 - Robert Garcia also handles the cuts.
28:31 The good news is, is that, let's listen in.
28:33 As you see the ringside position.
28:38 Talk to Tony Weeks.
28:40 - It's over, it's over, it's over.
28:43 - Just go.
28:44 - It's over, it's over, it's over.
28:45 - How?
28:45 - It's over.
28:46 - No more?
28:47 - Yeah, no more.
28:48 - No, Robert Garcia's stopping it.
28:49 (crowd cheering)
28:51 Robert Garcia is stopping it.
28:52 He will not send Martinez out.
28:55 The doctor came up to the apron, inspected the cut,
29:00 and I believe the doctor, if I heard it correctly,
29:02 said, "I've looked at it, it's okay, it's under the eye."
29:05 And yet the trainer, the cornerer,
29:07 with the veteran Robert Garcia, said, "No, it's over."
29:10 - I would hate, because it wasn't in a bad spot.
29:14 It was underneath the eye.
29:15 It wasn't dripping down into his vision
29:18 or impeding his vision, in his vision.
29:20 So I don't understand what Robert Garcia
29:24 and why he stopped the fight.
29:25 The fight was close.
29:26 - Well, listen, Robert Garcia is a veteran,
29:28 has been seen as much as anybody has.
29:30 - I respect him, but I'm just saying,
29:32 I would love to see the scorecards where...
29:34 - That ends the fight.
29:37 That big right hand that he turns over in the seventh round
29:41 that opened up the big gash under the eye of Martinez,
29:46 that ends up winning the fight
29:48 because the corner of Xavier Martinez said, "That's enough.
29:51 "We're not sending him out."
29:53 With the damage done to the left eye.
29:55 - I don't know.
29:56 I don't know if that's right.
29:57 I really don't.
29:58 - We will talk to Robert Garcia, Timmy.
30:01 - Look, what this kid been through,
30:03 everything he's come from,
30:05 I mean, you gotta put it out there on the line.
30:07 You gotta put it all out there.
30:09 - First fight, that was a good fight.
30:12 - Mark Regal?
30:13 - I had Xavier Martinez up by a point.
30:17 I have him sweeping three, four, five, and six.
30:21 I thought that Cortez adjusted really well in seven,
30:25 but this is such a close fight.
30:26 Now, you said the cut was below the eye, correct, fellas?
30:30 - Yes. - That's right.
30:31 It is below the eye.
30:32 You can see it.
30:33 Listen, it's bad swelling and it's a bad cut,
30:35 but typically, and it's a pretty bad gash right there,
30:39 but typically, that is much more the result
30:42 when a bad cut is above the eye.
30:44 But listen, Robert Garcia, he's seen it all.
30:47 He's done it all.
30:48 He knows his fighter, Garcia, of course,
30:50 a former trainer of the year,
30:52 a former world champion in his own right.
30:54 He does not send the 25-year-old Xavier Martinez out
30:59 for round number eight
31:00 after the ringside physician had inspected him.
31:03 So Cortez is gonna be your winner by TKO.
31:08 As we continue on here in Vegas,
31:10 top-ranked boxing on ESPN+ is presented by AutoZone.
31:15 Get in the zone.
31:17 Let's go up to the ring to make it official.
31:21 Here's Mark Cheneaux.
31:23 - Ladies and gentlemen, here inside the Pearl Concert Theater
31:26 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas,
31:29 this fight comes to a halt
31:30 at the conclusion of the seventh round
31:32 at the request of the Blue Corner.
31:34 Therefore, your winner by technical knockout
31:37 and still USWBC Silver Junior Lightweight Champion,
31:42 Andres "Savage" Cortez!
31:44 - And by the way, we were able to get a peek
31:57 at the official scorecards at the time.