Rugged Spanish battler Kiko Martinez will problem Child Galahad for the IBF featherweight title on the Sheffield Area in Sheffield, England on Saturday.
Martinez, who beforehand held the IBF junior featherweight title, is hoping to make it third time fortunate at featherweight, having beforehand misplaced title makes an attempt to Leo Santa Cruz (TKO 5) and Gary Russell Jr. (TKO 5).
“I’m very completely happy as a result of it’s a tremendous alternative to be champion in two totally different weights,” Martinez (42-10-2, 29 knockouts) advised The Ring by Oscar Zardain. “After 17 years of [my] skilled boxing profession and a variety of wars towards the highest degree [fighters], I need to say because of God for this superb probability.”
The 35-year-old, who’s a 7-1 underdog, acknowledges it is going to be troublesome however is assured he can pull the upset.
“[Kid Galahad] has a troublesome boxing model, altering his stance and preventing [from] orthodox or southpaw,” mentioned Martinez. “I’ll attempt to make some changes in [my] combat plan and shock him.
“I’m in an excellent second. I’m a veteran. Folks suppose that I’m like 50 years previous [because I have been around so long], however I made my professional debut at 18. Now I really feel very robust and really skilled. I can win this combat.”
Martinez on the assault towards Marc Vidal. Picture courtesy of Maravilla Promotions
Martinez has fought on British and Irish shores 9 instances and has been upset with lots of the official outcomes.
“The judges at all times handled me like a foreigner,” mentioned the previous titleholder earlier than pointing to some examples. “The U.Okay. is my second house. The followers are the very best on this planet, however on the finish of the day, I’m Spanish. I received the fights towards [Zelfa] Barrett and [Josh] Warrington, and doubtless the primary combat towards [Rendall] Munroe.
“Anyway, now we have a combat plan and I don’t really feel the necessity to win by knockout. If the judges don’t do their job correctly, it’s not my drawback. I made this error prior to now, however not now.”
Martinez, who as regular ready between Elche and Madrid, needs to be recommended for difficult himself in his mid-30s and exhibits no indicators of slowing down. He’s at all times retains himself in tip-top situation and was prepared when he was offered with this chance six weeks out.
His all-action model lends to good fights, and since he’s straightforward to take care of, promoters are more than pleased to amass his providers.
“I’m nonetheless in boxing as a result of, after my daughters, my primary motivation is preventing,” he mentioned. “I really like the combat recreation: coaching, operating, sparring – it’s my life.
“I hold coaching on daily basis of the yr and I have to combat the very best fighters on this planet. I really feel superb and my aim is to change into world champion once more.”
Martinez is promoted by Maravilla Promotions, headed up by is his long-time pal, former two-weight world champion Sergio Martinez.
“Maravilla” thinks his fighter can use his expertise to good impact.
“For my part Kiko is the very best Spanish fighter ever,” mentioned Martinez. “He’s at all times prepared to simply accept any problem and is essentially the most skilled sportsman I’ve ever met.
“Powerful combat, as at all times, however Kiko has his probabilities. He can shock Galahad and be champion in one other weight division. Galahad has superb footwork, however he additionally likes to trade punches and Kiko can knock him out.”
Galahad turned skilled in 2009. He received British, Commonwealth and European titles at junior featherweight however was hit with a doping ban in 2014.
When Galahad returned he labored his means into rivalry at featherweight to change into the IBF obligatory challenger and gave Josh Warrington (misplaced SD 12) all he might deal with. The 31-year-old rebounded from that setback with two wins and claimed the vacant IBF title final outing, stopping Jazza Dickens (RTD 11). His file stands at 28-1 (17 KOs).
Galahad-Martinez, plus undercard motion, can be broadcast solely by DAZN.
Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected] and you’ll comply with him on Twitter @AnsonWainwright
