Saturday night at Manchester Arena in Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom, undefeated WBA World super bantamweight champ Scott Quigg (31-0-2, 23 KOs), from Bury, Lancashire, UK, successfully defended his title by flattening former bantamweight champion Kiko Martinez (32-6, 24 KOs), from Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain, at 1:04 of the second round.
Quigg, fighting out of the blue corner in black trunks with gold trim, played it safe in round one.
Martinez, fighting out of the red corner in black trimmed with red, was on a mission to search and destroy.
At the opening bell Quigg was moving well, using the ring, and boxing beautifully. Martinez landed the first significant punch, a left hook that grazed Quigg’s head. The champion kept his distance. Martinez applied pressure. Quigg landed a nice short right followed by a right hand lead. Martinez connected with a jab. Quigg snuck a right between Martinez’s guard and another right at the bell.
Because Martinez was pressing forward and Quigg was fighting defensively, the first round was scored for the Spaniard.
Thirty seconds into round two, Quigg landed a devastating uppercut. Martinez’s knees buckled. Quigg followed up with a right to the body. Martinez covered up. The champ let his hands go and a short left hook dropped Martinez to the canvas. He was hurt. Martinez jumped to his feet on wobbly legs. The referee, Terry O’Connor, gave him a count and let the fight continue. Quigg landed a left and right, two rights in quick succession, and another left and right. The champion was teeing off and the challenger was defenseless. Another right landed and down he went again.
Martinez got to his feet, but he was done. The ref had seen enough and waved it off.
“The first round was how we knew it would be,” said Quigg after the fight. “He was very nervous, so he was sharp and on edge, and I had to see what he was doing. But I got my range and we knew he would come out quicker in the second and knew he would walk on to my shot. I got him with a peach of an uppercut.
“Hopefully now I will get some credit.”
Scott Quigg vs. Kiko Martinez can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImBd3ktYstA
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
