Carl Frampton Vs Kiko Martinez - Fight Preview

By Jack Sumner @Jack_Sumner_

Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton faces his ‘Judgement Day’ when he steps into Belfast’s Odyssey Arena this Saturday, when the Northern Irishman attempts to rip the European super bantamweight title from it’s tough Spanish holder Kiko Martinez. 

Frampton (15-0, 10 KOs) has been on a steep trajectory of late, culminating in the impressive sixth-round stoppage of former IBF champion Steve Molitor in September. The Odyssey was rocking that night as the hometown boy dominated the experienced Canadian in a performance that reverberated at world level, but the visiting fighter on this occasion will be no stranger to the atmosphere having entered the lion’s den many times before.

Martinez (27-3, 19 KOs) is a true champion of Europe having fought and won all over the continent and is undefeated on five trips to the Emerald Isle. He broke Irish hearts in Dublin when he stopped then unbeaten Bernard Dunne inside a round in 2007 and has set his sights on repeating that feat north of the border, by knocking out the Ulsterman Frampton this weekend. 

Both men have real firepower at the weight and both men come to fight, whilst neither man has tasted the canvas in their professional career. Martinez’s three losses were all by competitive decision, twice to Rendall Munroe and once to South African Takalani Ndlovu at altitude in Johannesburg. 

Lee Selby Vs Martin Lindsay - Fight Preview

By James McKnight

CAN LINDSAY WRECK SELBY'S QUEST FOR EURO GLORY?

The Odyssey arena in Belfast will welcome back Belfast born Martin Lindsay in a show that is entitled 'Unfinished Business'. Lindsay will attempt to upset the odds on February 9th in his hometown as he faces Wales' current British and Commonwealth featherweight champion Lee Selby. This fight will be a chief support act to Carl Frampton's super-bantamweight title fight against Kiko Martinez. 

Let me tell you how both Lindsay and Selby worked their ways to this fight. 

 

In September 2008, Lindsay (20-1-0, 7 KO's), stunned Liverpool's Derry Mathews in a British title eliminator bout. Lindsay had hit the canvas in the second round but went on to knock Mathews out in round 9. After Lindsay's scheduled British title fight with Scotland's Paul Appleby was cancelled, the two Men met in early 2009. Lindsay stopped the Scot in six rounds to claim the British title for the first time. 

Nine months later, Lindsay defended the British title after a solid performance against Scot Jamie Arthur. The fight went the full 12 rounds but it was a resounding points victory for Lindsay. The Belfast born boxer then tasted defeat for the first time as a pro in December 2010, against Scot John Simpson. After 12 bruising rounds Simpson's hand was raised as Lindsay's head dropped in disappointment. 

Martinez sends out warning to Frampton!

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97.

European super-bantamweight champion Kiko Martinez travels to Belfast on February 9th to take on highly-rated Irishman Carl Frampton. The Spaniard goes into the fight as the slight underdog but he claims that he will KO his "un-tested" opponent. 

"I feel I will win by knockout, or they'll stop the fight (be)cause of the beating I'm going to put on him. That's how I see it in my mind," Martinez told WorldBoxingNews. 

"I don't worry about the judges. This is a great country for boxing, it's a serious title up for grabs and it's not Germany or France. They know about boxing here and the judges will be fair."

"I think Frampton will try to run, I think he'll box and he won't go toe-to-toe. I know I'm a lot stronger than him. When I'm in the ring with him, he won't want to fight with me. He knows it, his corner knows it and all of Ireland knows it."

Martinez is a well-known fighter in Ireland having fought there four times already, and has no worries of facing the home favourite in Frampton. He also believes that 'The Jackal's' most recent victory over former world champ Steve Molitor was not as impressive as some people think.

Continue reading...

Frampton stops Molitor!

Carl Frampton Vs Steve Molitor.. Many people believed this to be the toughest test of Frampton's career so far and most wondered if he had chosen to take the test to early. But last night 'The Jackal' proved that he took the test at exactly the right time. Frampton showed his class and stopped Molitor in the 6th round.

You could say that Molitor is well past his best and that Frampton got him at exactly the right time, but you must also remember that Frampton is still a baby in boxing terms. At just 25-years old he has a record of 15-0 and is already beating guys like Molitor. Yes, Molitor is no longer what he once was, but he is still a former two-time world champion and a fantastic name to have on your record after just fifteen fights, especially with a KO next to his name. I think it's onwards and upwards for Frampton from here. He's convinced me that he's the No.1 super-bantamweight in Britain and I do think he is on the fringe of world level. I look forward to seeing 'The Jackal' a lot more in the future, and I'm sure most of you do too. This could be a star in the making.

It truly was a great night for Irish boxing. Another one of Northern Ireland's "Golden Boys" put on a great performance in front of the home crowd. Paul 'Dudey' McCloskey reignited his career with a wide unanimous decision victory over the highly-rated Manuel Perez. The judges scorecards were 118-110, 118-111 & 112. McCloskey dominated throughout the whole fight and just had no trouble handling the low-powered opponent in front of him.

Whilst I'm still not sure if McCloskey is a world contender, I do think it was a great victory for him tonight and its definitely a step-up from his last outing when it looked like his career was almost over.

 

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97.

Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy

As a result of the huge success that the Ireland boxing team achieved at the London 2012 Olympics, the amount of interest in the sport has risen massively over the past few weeks.

In an attempt to enhance the opportunities for the Irish youth, a new eight-week training programme has been set up for young aspiring boxers. The programme has been described as the "Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy" and will be split between the towns of Monaghan and Carrickmacross.

It hasn't actually been confirmed whether Barry McGuigan will play a huge part in the academy but even having the legends name will help to promote the academy. McGuigan was a very successful pro and is no doubt one of the greatest Irish boxers of all time, so he would be a great role model for young athletes, whether they want to box or not.

The programme is funded under the EU peace III Partnership and is aimed at all members of the community. Their main aim is to be able to successfully combine education and sport.

Martin Rogan discusses tomorrow night and the Heavyweight Prizefighter

@IFILMLONDON

Martin Rogan returns to the ring tomorrow night for a "tune-up" before he enters the anticipated heavyweight Prizefighter on February 23rd. 

Carl Frampton Vs Kiko Martinez - Post-Fight Report

PriceysBoxinThoughts

Highly-rated British super-bantamweight Carl Frampton picked up the EBU European title last night with an impressive 9th round stoppage victory over tough Spaniard Kiko Martinez. 

Martin Rogan Post-Fight Interview

@IFILMLONDON

Irish heavyweight Martin Rogan returned to the ring last night for a "tune-up" fight before he enters the Prizefighter Heavyweights tournament on February 23rd. He defeated Ladislav Koravik on points over four rounds to claim the 15th win of his career.