The “Lone Wolf” has hinted several times that he can’t wait to return to the ring, and now we know the exact date when that will happen. Michael Magnesi will fight on October 26 in Tolfa (Rome) in an eight-round fight against Nicaraguan Darwing Martinez.
The Italian boxer is coming off a dramatic and eventful defeat against the formidable Japanese southpaw Masanori Rikiishi, who in March managed to inflict a heavy technical KO on him in the final round of a fight that could easily be considered a contender for Fight of the Year.
Magnesi dominated three-quarters of the fight, showcasing top-tier technical skills, high intensity, and an impressive ability to evade his opponent’s strikes after landing his own two-handed combinations. However, in the final seconds of the tenth round, the Italian boxer made the fatal mistake of engaging in a furious close-range exchange from which he could not recover.
Given Magnesi’s indomitable character, it’s likely he wanted to immediately get back on track against a tough opponent. However, the extreme difficulty of the last fight, which many observers believe should have been stopped earlier, saw the Italian athlete take an alarming number of punches in the last two rounds, prompting a more cautious approach. Therefore, it’s understandable that a less dangerous opponent was chosen for his return.
Darwing Martinez, a 26-year-old journeyman who has already fought in six different countries as a professional, has a record of 8 wins, 22 losses, and 2 draws. He seems to have embraced the role of a durable test opponent, which he fulfills with dignity, thanks in part to his strong resilience to punches. Of his twenty-two losses, only four have come by KO.
However, it’s worth noting that last year, the Nicaraguan managed to upset the then-undefeated British boxer Andre Grant, winning every round and surprisingly handing him his first defeat. This shows that Martinez doesn’t step into the ring without the intention of causing an upset.
Magnesi should approach this test calmly but without underestimating the challenge. Ideally, the Italian boxer should aim to go the full eight rounds, regaining confidence in his abilities, fine-tuning the mechanisms that were bringing him closer to a world title opportunity, and preparing for the challenging fights that undoubtedly await him in the future.