Martinez (19-0-1, 16 KOs) faces Aleem (22-3-3, 13 KOs) at the Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino with the WBC interim title at stake. He sees the fight as a necessary step before pushing toward Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli.
“Canelo could win, Mbilli could win,” Martinez told La Hora del Boxeo. “Fighting either of those two would benefit me a lot. We’ll be ready to win.”
Canelo still holds the keys at 168, and the biggest fights move around him. Mbilli has built his position with pressure, workrate and a willingness to let combinations go at a steady pace, making him one of the toughest nights in the weight class.
Martinez already knows what Mbilli brings. Their 12-round draw in September 2025 forced exchanges at close range, with Martinez showing he can hold his feet, work the body and answer back with sharp counters when the pressure comes. Many felt he did enough that night, and the performance pushed his name into serious contention.
Before any of that comes back around, he has to deal with Aleem.
Aleem is not there to roll over. He has shared rounds with contenders, knows how to break rhythm, and will try to disrupt Martinez’s timing with movement and counters. He stays in the fight, keeps his guard tight and looks to drag opponents into later rounds where their gas tank gets tested.
Martinez’s approach is built on balance and punch selection. He works behind a disciplined lead hand and puts his shots together in combinations once he gets inside range. When he commits to the body, he gives himself a way to slow opponents and keep his offense flowing.
The interim belt only carries value if it leads somewhere. At super middleweight, that means forcing your name into the conversation with Canelo or settling unfinished business with Mbilli.
Martinez understands the assignment. Handle Aleem, keep the workrate steady, and make it clear he belongs in those fights.
Tom Galm is a boxing journalist who has covered the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends, and fighter psychology.