Homeland: Mexico
Weight Class: Featherweight (126 lbs)
Height: 168.3 cm (5'6")
Reach: 171.1 cm (67.4")
Trainer: Bill Stewart
Current Gym: De La Revilla Gym
Stance: Orthodox / Infighter
Ricardo Martinez is the WBA Featherweight Champion and the main antagonist of Hajime no Ippo. He's widely considered the pound-for-pound number one boxer in the entire series—no weight class comparison needed. Fans and characters alike call him "The Strongest Absolute Champion In History" and "The Undisputed Strongest Man In The World."
He's the only Super Champion active in the series, with an incredible 21 title defenses spanning over a decade after claiming the belt at just 21 years old. His fame is so massive in Mexico that casual citizens know his name better than their own political leaders. Notably, he's never pursued undisputed champion status despite his dominance, choosing to stay within the WBA while contenders scrambled for the WBC title to avoid facing him.
Ricardo fights as a hybrid boxer—equally comfortable as a textbook technician or a calculated infighter throwing violent volume punches. His signature technique is his ghost jab, a nearly unpredictable left that requires zero shoulder movement. He also employs corkscrew blows, slick counters, feints, and brutal body shots, particularly to the liver. His jab alone is legendary; it stopped Ippo's signature Dempsey Roll and knocked him unconscious in their sparring session when Ricardo was just the JBC Champion.
Personality-wise, he's quiet and reserved, speaking only when necessary and consulting with Bill Stewart before facing the press. When he does talk, his deep voice carries real intimidation. He has tanned skin and a distinctive mustache that's become part of his iconic look.
His power is genuinely inhuman. Takamura's described him as "out-of-this-world" and operating on a completely different level—so dominant that other boxers can't even gauge how strong he actually is. His speed, reflexes, and stamina are all otherworldly. He took multiple heavy shots from Date Eiji without lasting damage, and his overall damage output matches Ippo's explosive power despite the weight being identical. Ricardo also gave Date his iconic scar during their title match.
Specialty Techniques: Ghost Jab, Corkscrew Blow, Counter, Neck Spin, Feints, Bodyblows/Liverblows, High-Volume Punching with "no pattern"
Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.
