5/9/07 - Tom Dodgewww.keeppunching.com SNYDER, Tex. – A former Marine, Michael Martinez hopes that his life experience and good punch will help him earn another win Saturday May 12th at the Mari Center in the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana. Martinez is part of the Redemption or Retirement card that highlights Bobby “The Bayou Bomber” Aucoin along with the rematch between Juan De la Rosa and Mikel Williams. Born and raised in Snyder, Martinez graduated from high school in 1999 and then spent five years boxing in the Marine Corps winning a couple of national titles along the way – including being a member of the 2002 USA team. “The biggest thing the Marine Corps taught me is discipline,” he said, “when you cheat in training, you are only hurting yourself.” While the Marines may have taught him discipline, his Mexican heritage is the thing that drives him in the ring, Martinez said, reflecting on his mother Julia’s entrance into America in 1980. “I don’t want to let my people down,” he stated, “Mexicans are always known as tough fighters.” A stable mate of Blake “The Candyman” Prevost in the Corps, Prevost help bring Martinez in the Keeppunching Entertainment - a step in a positive direction for his career. In his last outing Martinez knocked out Cedric Blake early in the first round, landing a fierce body blow that put Blake down. “I am aggressive but in a smart way,” he said describing himself in the ring. “It could be over early if I get the right punch in.” At 2-2, Martinez lost two close split decisions, a fact that is still fresh in his mind. “I fought pretty tough competition and I kind of got the bad end of the deal on the decisions. Martinez said he is still trying the make the transition from amateur boxing where every shot counts. “I need to learn to relax more in the ring,” he admitted. “I can’t always get it over with early. I need to learn to relax and take my time.” Martinez said one of his biggest thrills as a professional is making his mother happy, his biggest fan. “I have been boxing since I was eight years old and this has been my lifelong dream,” he said. “She finally gets to see her son live his dream.” “My record doesn’t show what kind of boxer I really am,” he stated. “It is important that I go up from here. My dream is to be a world champion and I am finally on the right road. “I fight like there is no tomorrow,” he said. “This fight means the world to me.” 
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