Martin challenged Welch boxer, until then undefeated (27-0) Dai Dower for the EBU's flyweight title on Monday, 3 October 1955 at the ice rink in Nottingham, England.
The then 24 year old Martin won the championship by knocking Dower out in round twelve of a scheduled 15 rounder contest.
[3] Martin successfully defended that title three times until losing it on his fourth defense, beaten by Finnish fighter Risto Luukkonen on Friday, September 4, 1959 in Helsinki, Finland, by a fifteen rounds decision.
Perez and Martin duly met on Saturday, December 7, 1957 at the Club Atletico Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires.
A former Spain national and European Boxing Union flyweight champion and one-time world title challenger, Martin retired with a record of 71 wins, 17 defeats and 5 draws (ties) in 93 professional boxing contests, with 28 of his wins and 5 of his losses by way of knockout.