Quick Facts
Biography
Mario Martínez, also known as Azabache (born 15 August 1965 in Guadalajara, Jalisco) is a retired professional boxer from Mexico best known for losing to Julio César Chávez for the then-vacant WBC Super Featherweight title on 13 September 1984. It is said that such bout catapulted Chavez's career.
Professional career
Mario Martínez became a professional boxer at the age of 16 in his native Guadalajara, Jalisco. He lost one of his early fights against fellow Mexican Rosendo Alonso, but knocked-out Spanish Roberto Castañón and former Filipino champion Rolando Navarrete in 1984.
His victory against Navarrete earned him a shot against Julio César Chávez for the vacant WBC Super Featherweight title on 13 September 1984. In that fight, staged at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, Chávez knocked him out.
A year later, in 1985, he lost a close decision to Roger Mayweather. Later on, he was beaten by Azumah Nelson (twice), Jeff Fenech and Dingaan Thobela.
Martínez retired at the age of 31.