Kiko confident of Casey scalp
1 October 2010 – Jonny Stapleton
Kiko Martinez has told Irish fans they will have to wait a long time before they can lay claim to another European super-bantamweight champion or boast a fighter worthy of filling the gloves of Bernard Dunne.
La Sensacion is determined to hold on to his European strap at the expense of two Irish fighters over the coming six months prediciting he will stop Willie Casey in their EBU fight before going on to ruin Dubliner Paulie Hylands continental dream.
Speaking only a stones throw away from where he sensationally disposed of Dunne, the Spaniard know as Mini Tyson advised his November 6 bout with Big Bang wouldnt go the distance.
He also stressed after making short work of Casey in Limerick on the Big Bang Theory fight night he will break Irish hearts for a third time by defeating Paulie Hyland.
I agree with Willie Casey this fight is not going 12 rounds, the usually reserved Martinez was quoted as saying in The Irish Mirror. We are both big punchers, but I am the champion. There is only one real champion at this table and thats me. I am going to beat Willie Casey then Paul Hyland. Ireland has only ever had one real super-bantam champion and thats Bernard Dunne. I dont usually talk like this but it will be along time until you have another fighter like Dunne or champion at this weight.
The ever chirpy Casey, who exchanged some good natured verbal blows with Martinez at the Grand Canal Theatre yesterday, agrees with the reigning champions predictions, but only in part.
The Prizefighter winner is promising a Bang-tastic night of action and is confident his and not Martinezs power loaded hands will be raised in victory.
Casey, who thanked Martinez for giving him the opportunity to challenge for the title, did admit it was a 50/50 bout and stressed the winner will be the man who can survive the others heavy punishment the longest.
I hope he is at 110 per cent so there are no excuses. To be the best you have to beat the best and thats what I plan to do. It is going to be a big test for Kiko and me. It is a 50/50 fight that comes down to who can survive. It will be a test to see who can recover quickest and take the big shots. I am confident that will be me. I have taken challenges before and this is another one I think I can come out on top of.
