Kiko Martinez (R) scores with a jab to the face of Hozumi Hasegawa on April 23, 2014, in Japan. Photo by Atsushi Tomura – Getty Images.

It’s been 19 months since Kiko Martinez lost to Carl Frampton. Since then he has rebounded impressively to win the IBF junior featherweight title.

This Saturday the rematch will happen and Martinez (31-4, 23 knockouts) will return to Belfast where he was stopped by Frampton after nine frenetic rounds.

Fighting on the road isn’t something that bothers the heavy-handed Spaniard, having won the European title in Ireland by stopping Bernard Dunne in a single round. He ripped the IBF strap from in Jhonatan Romero in America and recently defended it against Hozumi Hasegawa in Japan.

“I love fighting outside my home country,” Martinez told RingTV.com from his training base in Elche, Spain. “The real champions would fight in any place, in any time.”

Martinez said that leading into the first fight against Frampton he had several personal problems, but with those things behind him things will be different this time and he will gain revenge.

“I’m now the world champion and I feel amazing, with a lot of confidence,” said the 28-year-old. “I’m now a better fighter than the first time.

“Since Frampton faced me, he only fought against poor opposition while I was fighting against world champions. We did the correct thing, not him.”

Here’s what “La Sensacion” had to say about Frampton, winning the world title and his thoughts on the junior featherweight division.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the rematch with Carl Frampton?

Kiko Martinez – This fight is personal. Frampton and me we have unfinished business. In the first fight I wasn’t myself. I was involved in personal problems, my head was not 100 percent focused on boxing. This time the history will be different.

AW – Having fought Frampton previously, you know him well. What do you see as his strengths and also areas you need to exploit?

KM – He’s a good fighter, with skills and speed. Fighting against him is a big challenge for anybody in the division, but I love the risks. I need to be more calm in this fight, and try to work on my counterpunching ability.

AW – Since you lost to Frampton you have won all four fights inside the distance and the IBF title. How were you able to turn things around so dramatically?

KM – Hard work is the only answer for your question. Hard work by me, in the gym, training always 100 percent, and hard work of my team in the offices. I want to thank Sampson Lewkovicz, Sergio Martinez and all Maravilla Box team.

AW – Talk us through your training camp for this fight?

KM – I’m training in my hometown, in Elche. Gaby Sarmiento is the boss this time, and he is making a very good job, focusing on me and in my fight 100 percent. Frampton has 18 pro fights, but Gaby has 26 videos of him. How is possible? Because he’s watching also amateur fights! Amazing job by him. My sparring partners are Ferino V (Ceferino Rodriguez 16-0, 10 knockouts), a great promising welterweight, and Lee Selby, the featherweight European champion. We will arrive in Belfast on August 31. The training camp is for eight weeks, as always.

AW – You have fought in many countries, winning fights in Ireland, USA, Japan, and France. Tell us about your mentality when fighting away from home?

KM – I love fighting outside my home country. The real champions would fight in any place, in any time. Also boxing is not very popular sport in Spain and all the big fights are in other countries.

AW – In your last fight back in April you stopped former two-weight champion Hozumi Hasegawa in seven rounds.

KM – Fighting in Japan was one of my dreams. Fighting there against a legend like Hozumi and winning the fight was awesome. I love Japan, the people are fantastic, very polite, very funny. I hope to return in the future.

AW – How did winning the world title change your life?

KM – It was the perfect dream, in the United States, against an undefeated champion, telecasted by HBO. It was simply perfect! I was three-time European champion, but I didn’t win a lot of money. All my career till the championship I had to work and train. Since I’m the world champion I’m only focused on boxing and my family, I have no worries around my head.

AW – You were linked with a PED case, having worked with Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes. What would you say about that?

KM – All this story was around 8 or 9 years ago, and was a nightmare, because I’m a clean fighter. The last year was the trial and nobody accused me of nothing. I fought in nine countries apart of Spain, I was tested many times by the EBU and the IBF, and I never was suspended or tested positive. You can trust me, I love the sport and I love my body, I’m a clean sportsman.

AW – What are your thoughts on the junior featherweight division?

KM – In my opinion it is the best division in boxing. (Leo) Santa Cruz and (Guillermo) Rigondeaux are amazing fighters and great champions too. Also you have a lot [of great challengers like] (Carl) Frampton, Scott Quigg, (Victor) Terrazas, (Hidenori) Otake, (Chris) Avalos or Kid Galahad. It’s very hard work be a great champion in this division.

AW – Tell us about yourself away from boxing?

KM – I love soccer, I’m a huge Real Madrid supporter. I was playing soccer till I was 14 years old, when I started in boxing. The most part of my time, when I’m not training I’m with my daughter, Adriana. She’s only 2 years old.

AW – Lastly do you have anything you’d like to say to Frampton ahead of the rematch?

KM – You can run, but you can’t hide!

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright