Martinez vs Gongora Predictions: Solid tester for Lester

Lester Martinez takes on Carlos Gongora this Friday, June 28 in a super middleweight contest. The bout will take place at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, DC. ProBoxTV will broadcast the full card live.

Here are my Martinez vs Gongora predictions ahead of a fascinating 168-pound contest.

Gongora once had world title ambitions. The more charitable observer would perhaps argue he has fulfilled them, though you’ll find few fans or pundits who take the IBO championship seriously. But that belt, a lesser cousin of the ‘big four’ titles, is often used as a stepping stone to greater things. 

Gongora slipped on that step, though. The Ecuadorian puncher has lost two of his last four fights. Britain’s Lerrone Richards beat him for the IBO strap via split decision in a fight where Gongora left it too late to throw his punches. 

Then, after a keep-busy fourth-round TKO of Oscar Riojas, Gongora lost via unanimous decision to unbeaten star Christian M’billi. Our subject was able to hurt the Frenchman, but ultimately could not do enough to knock him off his stride. 

Gongora has put another check in the win column since, a low-key knockout of Colombian punching bag Jhon Teheran. Given the fact the 39-year-old has suffered three first-round knockout losses in his 23-fight career demonstrates the level at which this contest took place.

His B-side billing here against the undefeated Martinez suggests that the 35-year-old Gongora is viewed as a fighter on the slide. That designation could be a touch premature, particularly given the fact the Ecuadorian was able to trouble M’billi at times. At the very least, Gongora remains a fighter willing to go to war and make things difficult for all but the bravest opponents.

Bravery is something that amateur standout Martinez has in spades. A two-time gold medalist at the Central American Games, the Guatemalan star wasted no time when he reached the professional ranks.

Martinez’s first fight came against Ricardo Mayorga of all people. The Nicaraguan firebrand and former two-weight world champion was well into his 40s when Martinez got hold of him. ‘El Matador’ was bludgeoned by the debutant in two rounds, a far cry from his 90s and 00s heyday. 

But even if Mayorga was a shadow of his former self, Martinez deserves credit for facing such a high-profile opponent in his very first professional contest. You won’t find a bigger name than Mayorga on his docket, but Martinez has been working away well since turning over in 2019.

Martinez blew away journeyman Michi Munoz in one round. The Mexican has been in with the likes of John Duddy, Carlos Molina and Carson Jones in the past. Most of his contests have been of this nature. Bouts against local fighters in his homeland and in Mexico.

Gongora is far above local level. Even if you accept the idea that he is declining, he is still a big name that is closer to his prime than the ancient Mayorga was in 2019. World titles might be beyond him in 2024, even IBO versions, but he can still fight. Martinez must be wary. 

Martinez vs Gongora Fight Odds

As the fighter on the rise, it comes at no shock to see Martinez out front at 2/5. Gongora is a live underdog at odds of 2/1 while you can back the stalemate at a 14/1 long-shot.

Martinez vs Gongora Full Card

Lamont Roach vs. Feargal McCrory, 12 rounds, for Roach's WBA junior lightweight title 

Lester Martinez vs. Carlos Gongora, 10 rounds, super middleweights 

Alex Dilmaghani vs. Rene Tellez Giron, 10 rounds, junior lightweights 

Rianna Rios vs. Mary Romero, 8 rounds, women's bantamweights 

Greg Outlaw vs. TBA, 8 rounds, junior welterweights 

Travon Marshall vs. Luis Midyael Sanchez, 6 rounds, welterweights 

Jordan Roach vs. Luis Hernandez, 4 rounds, junior bantamweights 

Eric Hernandez vs. TBA, 4 rounds, lightweights 

Benjamin Johnson vs. Michael Williams, 4 rounds, welterweights 

Deric Davis vs. TBA, 4 rounds, lightweights

Martinez vs Gongora Prediction

We might see a few new things from Martinez. I venture that he will need to go up a level to meet the challenge facing him here. But I think the 28-year-old will find that step-up well within his reach and raise his performance levels to meet and surpass Gongora. 

Martinez is a knockout artist and Gongora isn’t hard to find. The Ecuadorian fighter has never been stopped but he does seem to be coming to the end of his career in many respects. I think Martinez will seize upon this to grind out a stoppage, at odds of 7/4.

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