Puerto Rican fighter McWilliams Arroyo is aiming to return to the ring as early as the summer of this year to defend his newly won WBC interim-flyweight title (112 pounds), while the full champion Julio Cesar Martinez recovers from a hand injury.

Bryan Perez, executive director of Miguel Cotto Promotions, is looking to bring Arroyo back to the ring sooner than later.

According to Perez, Martinez will be out of action four to six weeks while he recovers from a fracture to his right hand.

“Immediately, we are going to request authorization (from the WBC) so that McWilliams can fight on the next available date. We are going to do all of the procedures to get approval [to have a fight] before fighting with Martínez,” Perez told Sara Del Valle Hernandez.

“Everything we do will be based on what the WBC authorizes us to do. We learned that Julio César Martínez - the champion in ownership - will be out of between four to six weeks, so he will not be ready to defend with McWilliams, and we have to see what the plan will be."

Pérez pointed out that the immediate plan is for Arroyo to return to the ring "between May and June" to defend the interim belt.

This past Saturday night in Miami, Arroyo beat down and stopped Abraham Rodriguez as part of the undercard to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez's mandatory defense against Avni Yidlirim at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Initially, Arroyo was scheduled to face Martinez for the full title.

Several days before the fight, Martinez withdrew with the hand injury.

This was the second time that a fight between Arroyo and Martinez was called off. The first time was in August 2020 because the Martinez was fighting an illness not connected to COVID-19.

“We have to wait to see the next steps for Martinez's team. He is going to be out with a certified right hand injury. For our part, we want McWilliams to be able to defend his interim world championship, and then when Martinez is ready, that fight can be made," said Perez.