MARTINEZ: QUIGG IS ‘CLOSE TO PERFECTION’ BUT CANNOT HANDLE A WAR

Spaniard questions Bury man’s resolve ahead of World title battle

Kiko Martinez says that Scott Quigg’s technique is ‘close to perfection’ – but he’ll take his WBA World Super Bantamweight title by dragging him into a war at the Manchester Arena on July 18, live on Sky Sports.

Martinez travels to Manchester in an attempt to become a two-time World champion and he’ll have to end the reign of the unbeaten Bury star who defends the belt for the fifth time and has stopped three of his previous four challengers inside three rounds.

‘La Sensacion’ landed his IBF title in stunning fashion in August 2013 stopping the unbeaten Jhonatan Romero in America before stoppage wins in his first two defences against Jeffrey Mathebula and Hozumi Hasegawa.

The Spaniard believes that he is the toughest fighter Quigg has faced to date though, and says that while the champion’s mechanics might be superior, he’s questioned if he has the stomach for a brutal 12-round battle.

“Quigg is a very good fighter, technically he is very close to perfection,” said Martinez. “But I think that he is not a great slugger and he has not fought against high level opponents like I have.

“I think that he will try to make a long distance fight, he will look to go to the final round and not change blows with me.

“We have a fight plan for 12 rounds and I will follow it. If I win by knockout it will be better, but the goal is the belt.”

Quigg’s defence against Martinez is part of a huge night of World title action in Manchester as Quigg’s gym-mate Anthony Crolla challenges Darleys Perez for the Colombian’s WBA World Lightweight title.

There’s a pair of tasty tussles for vacant British titles as stylish duo Chris Jenkins and Tyrone Nurse lock horns for the Light Welterweight strap and big hitting pair Sam Eggington and Glenn Foot promise a war for the Welterweight crown.

St. Helens’ Martin Murray boxes at Super Middleweight for the second time in quick succession as he targets some huge domestic battles at 168lbs, and there’s a host of young talent on display in unbeaten Gallagher’s gym duo Hosea Burton and Marcus Morrison, while there are outings for Prizefighter Lightweight champion Jono Carroll, former Team GB starlet Charlie Edwards, Sedgefield’s Jeff Saunders, Middleton’s Liam Taylor and Chapel-en-le-Firth’s Jack Massey.

Tickets are on sale priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 through www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIP’s are available exclusively through www.matchroomboxing.com priced at £300.