As previously reported, former two division world champion Sergio Martinez returned to boxing after six years of inactivity - with a victory by knockout in the seventh round against the Spanish contender Jose Miguel Fandino, in a fight that took place in El Malecón de Torrelavega, in the Spanish autonomous community of Cantabria.

For Martinez, it was his first fight since suffering a stoppage loss at the hands of Miguel Cotto in 2014 - at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Martinez broke Fandino down and put him away in the seventh, as the corner threw in the towel.

The goal for Martinez is a title showdown with WBA "regular" middleweight champion Ryota Murata of Japan.

“This night was wonderful for me. I don't forget everything I went through. Those were very tough moments when I got up and started training. I was ready to do ten rounds if necessary. Luckily Fandino fell, the blows to the body made a dent," Martinez declared from the ring.

“I needed the contact with the canvas, with the ropes, with everything, with the referee. The knee brace was not necessary, but it was there just in case: it's been six years without trying to the maximum. This is the beginning of something very beautiful: I won't stop until the world title. I've learned to enjoy the road. I have in mind to continue doing a few more fights. I need to consolidate here to feel ready to face Murata. From this point to four fights."

Martinez, 45-years-old, organized the card with his company Maravilla Box Promotions. He entered the ring with a record of 51 victories (28 knockouts), 3 defeats and 2 draws. And his rival, almost ten years his junior, held an overmatched record of 15 wins (8KO) and 6 fights lost.

In the previous fights that took place in Torrelavega, Kiko Martínez (41-9-2) fulfilled the expectations that weighed on his shoulders and defeated Noé Martínez Raygoza (23-11-2) by knockout in the third round. The undefeated local star - and European super welterweight champion - Sergio García (32-0-0) also provided a show, by winning on cards over the Nicaraguan Pablo Mendoza.