Unfinished Business - Post-Show Report

By Jack Sumner @Jack_Sumner_

Frampton celebrates with his European title.

They predicted a war and they got one.

Carl Frampton had to endure nine rounds of relentless pressure from the aggressive Kiko Martinez, before a hard right hand dropped the Spaniard for the first time in his career and relieved him of his EBU super bantamweight title.

Backed into a corner with fourteen seconds remaining in the ninth session of the bout at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena, the ‘Jackal’ delivered the short right with Martinez walking in to transfigure his opponent’s legs into jelly. Kiko the warrior attempted to get up but was back on his feet a little too quickly and after staggering into the ropes, referee Anssi Perajoki called a halt to the contest.

A contest it certainly was though and early in the fight it became clear that Frampton was in deeper than he ever had been before. Martinez had given the cut-throat gestures at the fiery weigh-in and reminded the Northern Irishman of his power in the second round, landing with hurtful shots when Frampton infrequently fought in close. However, the unbeaten challenger kept his head above water by boxing on the back foot, retreating as Martinez bombed forward with menacing pressure.

Carl Frampton vs Kiko Martinez - Weigh-In Footage

@IFILMLONDON

Things get heated as Kiko martinez and Carl Frampton go head-to-head at the weigh-in for the final time before they meet in the ring and compete for the EBU super-bantamweight championship.

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. 

Carl Frampton Vs Kiko Martinez - Post-Fight Press Conference

@IFILMLONDON

Carl Frampton ready for Kiko Martinez!

@IFILMLONDON

Carl Frampton is riled up for his European title shot against Kiko Martinez tomorrow night! Things got heated at the weigh-in when the two men went head-to-head. Here is what 'The Jackal' thinks of the weigh-in and the fight. 

Andy Lee Vs Anthony Fitzgerald - Post-Fight Report

PriceysBoxinThoughts

Andy Lee returned to the ring last night looking to re-build his career in the UK under new trainer Adam Booth. An impressive victory would have launched him straight into the domestic middleweight mix with the likes of Macklin, Barker and Murray, but Anthony Fitzgerald was not going to allow this. 

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.