Julio Cesar ‘El Rey’ Martinez has enjoyed his share of trash talk with several past opponents and divisional rivals.

That dynamic does not exist heading into what is easily the biggest fight of his career.

The reigning WBC flyweight titlist moves up in weight on short notice for a coveted assignment with former four-division champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (50-3, 41KOs). The two collide atop a March 5 DAZN show from Pechanga Arena in San Diego, with both fighters complimentary in accepting each other’s challenge.

It’s a new look for Mexico City’s Martinez (18-1, 14KOs; 2ND), though one he graciously embraces.

“I have every intention of beating Chocolatito, but it is an honor to face him,” Martinez admitted to BoxingScene.com. “He’s an incredible fighter, he’s a great person, a class act. He’s very humble and I have all the respect for him.”

Martinez stepped into the fight after lineal/WBA “Super” champion Juan Francisco ‘El Gallo’ Estrada (42-3, 28KOs) was forced to withdraw from his rubber match with Gonzalez after testing positive for Covid. Accepting the fight on less than six weeks’ notice came without hesitation, as Martinez was eventually planning to move up in weight.

The hope was to first unify the titles at flyweight before moving up to the star-studded 115-pound division. The chance to face a modern-day legend such as Gonzalez was too good an opportunity to pass up, even without a major title at stake for their scheduled twelve-round junior bantamweight clash.

“In the ring, we are rivals but we are not enemies,” notes Martinez, whose only defeat came in his pro debut more than six years ago. “We have a job to do in the ring and I will do it, but I can separate that from outside the ring where we can still be friends.

“I’m honored that he accepted this fight. To face a legend like Chocolatito is an honor.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox