Kiko Martinez returns from Frampton defeat at Bantamweight

KIKO Martinez returns to the ring for the first time since Carl Frampton disposed him of the IBF super bantamweight World title this weekend.

The Spaniard, who has earned the respect of Irish fight fans over the years, will return at bantamweight in Spain on Saturday night.

Martinez (31-5, 23 KO) a fighter dubbed ‘Mini Tyson’ by Irish fight fans when he stopped Bernard Dunne back in 2007,is a two-time European champion and an IBF titleholder at 122 pounds, but at 28 will drop in weight.

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz says the move down will benefit Martinez.

“Kiko was never a super bantamweight, he was always at his best at 118 pounds,” said Lewkowicz. “He only took the great opportunity offered to him at 122 lbs and made the most of it, by winning the title and defending it twice. He will be even stronger at bantamweight and will be fighting for a world championship in the near future.”

A move in weight seems a smart idea considering big punching Martinez will most likely be avoided by any super bantamweight of note. He has become high risk low reward since he lost his title, but most would have predicted a rise not a drop in weight.

Martinez has never  fought at 118 pounds, debuting in 2004 as a super bantamweight.