Fitial scores TKO win over Martinez

Saipan’s Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial notched a fourth-round TKO win over Guam’s Roque Martinez during their heavyweight bout in the Pacific Xtreme Combat 24 on Saturday night at the Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater in the Philippines.

Fitial, who improved his win-loss draw record to 12-6-2, dominated the anticipated rematch over Spike 22’s Martinez (5-4-1) and resolved once and for all the debate of PXC 22-Battle For The Belt’s controversial draw decision that offset the Marianas Elite bet’s four-win streak.

Fitial came down the aisle with a red Mohawk and got to work right away, fulfilling his promise of beating Martinez.

Both fighters stood and banged for the first two rounds. Martinez connected with a few big shots early, but Fitial used his longer reach to prevent his foes from getting inside.

Half way through the second round, Martinez’s eye was almost swollen shut, however he managed a takedown and got in some nice blows before the bell.

Then at the start of the third, the fighters met at the center of the cage and began whaling away at each other. Fitial came out on top of the exchanges by using his speed and reach advantages and kept himself a moving target for Martinez. The third ended with Fitial unleashing a flurry on the former champ.

Martinez shot out of his corner like a cannon at the start of the fourth round, but ended up losing his balance at one point allowing an easy takedown by Fitial.

Fitial controlled the top position from there and dealt out some brutal ground and pound strikes that ultimately led to the referee stepping in and calling it off. After the stoppage, Fitial was still in one piece, while Martinez was badly beaten with his face covered with blood.

After his triumph in Manila, Fitial is expected to return to Saipan this week to support his fellow Marianas Elite fighters in Trench Tech Purebred Promotions’ Trench Warz 14 – Ground Zero that will be held on Friday night at the Saipan World Resort.

Meanwhile, in other results, Martinez’s teammates “Baby” Joe Taimanglo (11-4-1) and Ricky Camp (2-0) both notched wins earlier in the evening.

Taimanglo notched his fifth win in a row since September 2009 after securing a first round submission over Korean newcomer Young Jun Kim.

Camp came out with win No. 2 against the Philippines’ Carlos Tiongson (3-2) in the first bout of the night.

Counter Shot MMA’s Josh “The Hedgehog” Alvarez (6-3) sank in a rear naked choke on former Philippine boxer Rogelito Plomeda (2-2), while Ground Fu’s Tony Reyes (5-2) and Guahan Top Team’s Alex Castro (6-9) lost to Roland Perez (7-4-1) of Alliance MMA and Harris “The Hit-man” Sarmiento (32-22) of Hawaii’s 808 Fight Factory, respectively.