Another testing fight, while waiting for a world title opportunity: Sandor Martin (41-3-0, 14KO) is coming back in the squared circle on the 16th of December in Turin, Italy, as part of a boxing card organized and promoted by Italy’s Opi Since 82.
He will fight Mohamed El Marcouchi (29-3, 12KO) over eight rounds in the super lightweight division. Currently, Sandor Martin is the WBC number 1 at 140lbs and the mandatory challenger for the winner of Regis Prograis vs Devin Haney.
The full fight card will be shown live on DAZN for Italy and on ESPN+ in the United States with the support of Top Rank Boxing and it will have four professional fights, with the main event being local boxer Francesco Grandelli (17-2-2, 3KO) who will face undefeated Stefan Voda (14-0, 5KO) for the vacant EBU silver featherweight title.
The other two fights include the former IBF International welterweight champion Maxim Prodan (21-2-1, 16KO) and the young lightweight prospect Biagio Grimaldi (5-1, 3KO) who has the opportunity to avenge the only loss on his record against Darwin El Badaouy (2-2-1, 1KO).
For Martin it is not a mere stay-busy fight, but more of a challenging contest to stay in full shape, warming up for the big world title fight that Sandor has been waiting for for months.
Martin has defeated Mikey Garcia with a majority decision in October 2021, then José Felix in April 2022 and his only recent loss is a split decision against Teofimo Lopez in December 2022. He recently fought against former Italian super lightweight champion Arblin Kaba, scoring a sixth round stoppage in July 2023.
“I am happy to fight twice in 2023,” Martin said. “I will do my best to give an outstanding performance. With my managers, the Cherchi family of Opi Since 82, I look forward to the new year in order to find finally a world title chance.”