Martinez Tabbed As Replacement Opponent For Crawford In September
- Matthew Brown
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
05/24/2025
“The Legend Killer” may soon get his shot at the biggest legend of them all.
Guatemalan contender Lester Martinez has been offered — and accepted — a deal to face undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez this September if Terence Crawford pulls out of their anticipated superfight, sources tell Brunch Boxing. The contingency deal would pay Martinez an estimated $2 million if he ends up replacing Crawford.
While the Canelo-Crawford fight was announced for Mexican Independence weekend in September, no contracts have been signed and both a date and location remain up in the air. A kickoff press conference in Riyadh is reportedly being planned for June, but insiders caution that the event — as with much of boxing these days — is still subject to change.
In the meantime, Martinez (19-0, 16 KOs) is scheduled to return to the ring on July 12 against French veteran Pierre Dibombe. That fight is expected to serve as a stay-busy bout and potential showcase ahead of the September card.
Even if Martinez doesn’t end up facing Alvarez, sources confirm he is still slated to appear on the undercard. But the 29-year-old Guatemalan has quietly emerged as one of the more intriguing insurance policies in boxing: an undefeated, heavy-handed fighter nicknamed “The Legend Killer,” who now sits one phone call away from a career-defining payday.
Should Crawford-Canelo fall through, Martinez would step into the main event spotlight — and, finally, a chance to prove his nickname against one of the sport’s all-time greats.
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