The 30-year-old (20-0-1, 16 KOs) was making his first appearance of 2026, six months removed from a 10-round split draw in a Fight of the Year candidate against Christian Mbilli on the Canelo-Crawford undercard in September.

After it became clear a rematch between the pair wouldn't happen immediately, efforts were made for Martinez to position himself among the elite at super middleweight following a reputation-enhancing performance.

Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) has since been elevated to full WBC beltholder and there's no news on a return opponent, though he told The Ring in January of his desire for a big name in his first title defense later this year.

Martinez was expected to deliver an explosive showing against Immanuwel Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs) in their WBC interim title fight but instead went the full 12-round distance for the first time as a professional and successfully navigated a few nip-and-tuck rounds early before asserting his dominance down the stretch.

"I'm very proud of my accomplishments, what really is gonna be difficult is what's to come, it'll be much more complicated, we'll see," Martinez said via a translator during the post-fight press conference.

"We knew it would be a difficult fight, we're close and will definitely face much better opposition, the number one, two and three in the world, those [bouts] are to come."

Rated No. 4 by The Ring at 168 pounds, he'll be craving more against the world's best after dropping down a level as far as jeopardy was concerned against longtime contender Aleem.

With the unmissable figure of trainer Brian 'Bomac' McIntyre by his side, it's clear the team and his promotional outfit hold high hopes for an interim world champion many described as a rough diamond waiting to blossom.

"There's always a benefit in going the distance. Aleem was game, but I was impressed with how Lester boxed, put rounds in the bank, made sure he won the close rounds ... he showed some things in that regard," Martinez's promoter, ProBox founder Garry Jonas said. "You can't knock them all down, I think it was a good performance."

Regardless, it won't be a Canelo Alvarez meeting next. Per BoxingScene, Martinez is set to return on August 28 as part of the Guatemala 'El Chapin' festival in Los Angeles, before pursuing a Mbilli rematch. Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) will end a year-long layoff two weeks later, headlining a 'Mexico Against The World' card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.