New York (February 18, 2009) – Kermit Cintron overcame a slow start with a determined come-from-behind rally versus interim WBC junior middleweight titlist Sergio Martinez, on Saturday night at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida – earning the former IBF welterweight champion and WBC # 15 rated 154 lbs. challenger, a majority draw, as seen on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.
Cintron (30-2-1, 27 KOs) from Reading, PA, by way of Carolinas, Puerto Rico, rebounded from a cut and knockdown at the hands of Martinez by utilizing effective aggression and “signature” Cintron power punching to stay competitive with the speedy champ.
“After reviewing the fight, I know that I was knocked down in the seventh round and I am not questioning the draw and Martinez keeping his belt. Still, I know I am one of the best welterweights in the world and will prove it when I defeat Miguel Cotto, if he gives me the opportunity,” said Cintron.
“Kermit Cintron has proved that he can compete against any fighter between 147 and 154 pounds. Now Kermit is eyeing a return to the welterweight division for a showdown with Miguel Cotto, should Cotto defeat Michael Jennings for the vacant WBO welterweight crown on February 21,” said DBE president Lou DiBella.
DiBella went on to say that Cintron will be at ringside at Madison Square Garden for Cotto vs. Jennings to cheer on his countryman in hopes of setting up a New York City showdown on Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend between two of the world’s best fighters and the best two Puerto Rican welterweights on the planet. “Cintron vs. Cotto at Madison Square Garden will be one of the hottest tickets in boxing this year and has all the makings of a fantastic fight. Let’s not forget that Kermit and Cotto’s only losses came against Antonio Margarito,” stated DiBella.
Prior to his draw against Martinez, Cintron was coming off a unanimous decision victory over former IBF 140 lbs. champion Lovemore N’dou on the Taylor-Lacy DBE-promoted show, seen on HBO this past November 15, in Nashville, TN. The Cintron-Martinez pairing came about when a scheduled January clash between Martinez and Joe Greene was scratched and a proposed Martinez-Daniel Santos bout also fell through – giving the always opportunistic Cintron a chance to move up in weight and secure another HBO appearance.
One of boxing’s hardest punchers, Cintron won the vacant IBF title in October 2006 with an impressive display of power punching – halting Mark Suarez in six one-sided rounds in Palm Beach, Florida. Cintron would go on to successfully defend his IBF crown on two occasions – both knockout victories – over Walter Dario Matthysse and Jesse Feliciano, respectively.
