Xavier Martinez-Robson Conceicao Battle Saturday Night

The 130-pound title picture will crystallize Saturday evening on ESPN at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, as the unbeaten Xavier Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs) battles recent world title challenger Robson Conceição (16-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round WBC title eliminator.

A shot at the WBC Junior Lightweight title is up for grabs 📈

FOLLOW THE THREAD for the full #ConceicaoMartinez Weigh-In results ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/fbK7ay2xCm

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 28, 2022

Conceição is coming off last September’s valiant challenge of WBC world champion Oscar Valdez in Tucson, Arizona. Valdez rallied late to edge the unanimous decision in a fight shrouded by controversy after Valdez had failed a pre-fight drug test for a stimulant.

Meanwhile, Martinez grinded out decisions over veterans Claudio Marrero and Juan Carlos Burgos in his last two outings, making ample preparation for his Top Rank debut Saturday night.

“Those last two fights were very tough and got me ready for this moment right here. I’ve been putting the work in, and I can’t let this opportunity slip by me,” Martinez told the media in Tulsa Thursday.

“I’m not overlooking Conceição. He is a great opponent. He is the main objective right now, but after this, I want a title shot. If it’s not right after, I want to keep active and maybe fight for a title next year.”

Meanwhile his Brazilian born challenger responded,

“What happened against Valdez was just a small setback. What I learned from that fight is that it was a great fight, but the fans know I won the fight. They know I’m the man,” Conceicao added Thursday.

“I’m very motivated. After the fight with Valdez, I walked out of the ring very happy with my performance. I went straight to the gym. I had a very good training camp, and now I’m facing a very tough opponent. That makes me even happier. I hope he is ready for a great fight.”

In the 10-round junior lightweight co-feature, Mexican knockout artist Rene Tellez Giron will battle rising Puerto Rican star Luis Melendez. Conceição-Martinez and Melendez-Giron will be televised live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.