To take the proper next steps, Martinez (20-4, 15 KOs), a former flyweight champion, has signed a managerial deal with Wise Owl Boxing.

“We strongly believe we can help Julio Cesar Martinez turn his career around and position him for another world title run,” Wise Owl Boxing founder Mark Habibi told The Ring. “Martinez is just 31 and has a lot left in the tank. He possesses a relentless and fan-friendly fighting style, and we can’t wait to help him recapture his championship form under the Wise Owl Boxing banner.”

Habibi said Martinez is a promotional free agent and plans to pursue the best opportunities from 115-118 pounds. Martinez is also seeking a new trainer and will be making the rounds across Southern California next week to see which coach best suits his style.

“El Rey” Martinez has previously been trained by Eddy Reynoso and promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Martinez’s career has been defined by turbulence as much as talent. He’s drawn scrutiny in recent years for pulling out of scheduled fights, missing weight in a 2022 loss to Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, and testing positive for a banned diuretic following his majority decision over Angelino Cordova in March 2024, which was later ruled a no-contest.

Martinez was also fined and suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for the misstep.

The failed test wasn’t an isolated incident. In 2019, Martinez tested positive for Clenbuterol during a random test under the WBC's Clean Boxing Program. However, the WBC exonerated him and chalked up the results to the possible ingestion of tainted meat, a known issue in Mexico.

Martinez hasn’t scored a win since 2023 and last fought in May when he was stopped in eight rounds against unheralded Mexican contender Gerardo Valenzuela Munoz.

Martinez will be co-managed by Miguel Lopez as well as Habibi, who is also the founder of the centralized combat sports platform, FightBook.

Wise Owl Boxing's stable is headlined by junior middleweight contenders Brandon Adams and Charles Conwell. In recent months, the company has signed several prospects, including Chantel Navarro (7-0, 3 KOs), Jalan Walker (15-1-1, 11 KOs), Ebenezer Griffith (7-0, 2 KOs) and Joseph Subia (3-0-1, 3 KOs).

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan