Scott Quigg To Fight Kiko Martinez – July 18th

By Olly Campbell - 05/12/2015 - Comments

WBA (reg) 122lb champion Scott Quigg (30-0-2, 22ko) has once again dodged the Guillermo Rigondeaux bullet with the announcement that he will defend his title on July 18th in Manchester against Spain’s Kiko Martinez. (32-5, 24ko)

After negotiations for a massive unification clash with Belfast’s IBF champion Carl Frampton falling through recently, it would seem Eddie Hearn has turned to Martinez for comparative purposes.

The former world and European champion has been twice beaten by Frampton in the past – in February 2013 when he was stopped (for the only time in his career) and again last September when he surrendered his belt via 12 round decision.

A statement performance from Quigg against the Spaniard will potentially give him credibility and more leverage in further negotiations between Frampton’s promoter Barry McGuigan and Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn. Though with previous talks ending in a stalemate – the feeling is that fight is some way off.

It had previously been stated by WBA (sup) champion Guillermo Rigondeaux that he would come to the UK to call out Quigg, who is for all intents and purposes his mandatory challenger – and Rigo’s manager Gary Hyde has petitioned the WBA in order for Quigg to fulfill his mandatory obligations and fight his man – a rather ass-up way of doing things but then that’s not Hyde’s fault if Quigg is “ducking” the Cuban standout.

He could well be ringside on the night!

However, in spite of all this – if a game and focused Martinez turns up in Manchester, then this is by far a routine outing for Quigg – who could be in danger of dropping a points decision in my eyes.

There has already been talk of him fighting the ageing yet still capable Nonito Donaire after Martinez, though to look that far ahead is foolish at present.

A win for Quigg against Martinez is certainly not a given.

July 18th at the M.E.N Arena we will find out more.

I’m on twitter @Undilutedpoison