WBC order Charlie Edwards vs Julio Cesar Martinez rematch

Charlie Edwards and Julio Cesar Martinez will meet again

By James Blears

In England when you get knighted by the Queen, you have to go down on one knee and Her Majesty taps you on both shoulders with a razor sharp sword, declaring: “Arise Sir…..”

In his quest to become Monarch of the WBC flyweight division and in the heat of battle, Julio Cesar “Rey” Martinez accidently delivered a rib tickler to Champion Charlie Edwards, when Charles had dropped to one knee, following an torrent barrage of blows.

Initially declared the winner, he wasn`t crowned,  because of the WBC`s instant replay system, with the fight being declared a no contest.

The World Boxing Council ruled that the blow was accidental and has declared a direct rematch.

At the weekly Martes a Café Ceremony, which was at the Chamber of Deputies, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said: “The fight has to be done again and I feel for Julio Cesar and for Charlie as well, because Charlie Edwards is a warrior who represents the best of the WBC inside and outside of the ring.

“We have a great relationship with him and his family. Julio Cesar was so fantastic that night at the O2 Arena in London. He was ready to become Champion, but there`s nothing more sacred than justice, so I feel strongly and I`m convinced that we did the right thing. Julio Cesar Martinez has taken it with pride and honor, Charlie Edwards has done so as well, and now it`s just a matter of waiting for the direct rematch and seeing what happens in the ring.”

Julio Cesar who was accompanied by his young daughter and son received a standing ovation from an array of Mexico`s greatest champions who attended the event, sincerely thanking them for their support and generosity.

He said: “Disappointed, but I fought the very best I could to the heights of my capacity, I had more than him on the night and I`ll be back with everything I`ve got, possibly at the end of October or in November on a card led by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Las Vegas. Prior to that I`ll go back for more altitude training at the Otomi Center, in the mountains above Toluca!”