This Tuesday, May 5, the Congress of the Republic awarded the Order of the Sovereign National Congress to the boxers Lester Martínez and Joshua Kevin Antón, in recognition of their career and participation in the national and international sports arena.
In addition, on April 28, the legislative plenary session approved the allocation of economic resources in recognition of the results achieved by both athletes on international stages. The measure contemplates a contribution of Q500 thousand for Martínez and Q200 thousand for Antón, with the aim of supporting his performance and projection in professional boxing.
During the session, the deputies highlighted that the achievements of the boxers contribute to positioning Guatemala in high-level competitions and strengthen the country’s image in the sporting field.
The approved support also aims to set a precedent in the recognition of athletes who obtain international titles, especially in disciplines that do not have constant support.
Triumphs abroad
Lester Martínez reached one of the most important milestones in the history of Guatemalan boxing on March 21, 2026, when he defeated the American Immanuwel Aleem by unanimous decision – 119-109 on the scorecards – in San Bernardino, California. With that result, he was crowned interim super middleweight world champion of the World Boxing Council (WBC).
With the victory, the boxer from Petén raised his undefeated record to 20 wins, no losses and one draw, and became the first world boxing champion from Guatemala. The interim title in the 168-pound category places him among the main contenders in his division and opens up the possibility of competing for the absolute championship.
On the same evening, Joshua Kevin Antón also obtained a relevant result by defeating Kudratillo Abdukakhorov by technical knockout. The fight took place at the National Orange Show Event Center, also in San Bernardino, where Antón won the WBC continental super welterweight title in the penultimate fight of the card.
Antón, 27, was born in Granada Hills, California, but has Guatemalan roots and represented the country on that day. He came into the fight with a record of 12 victories, 11 of them by knockout, without losses or draws, which positions him as one of the promises of professional boxing in the United States.
After his victory, the boxer continues to rise in the super welterweight category, where he is ranked 22nd in the world ranking.