Kiko Martinez is back in Ireland tomorrow evening for a super bantamweight showdown with Irish boxing legend Wayne McCullough. The Spaniard last visit to Ireland was a costly one for William Hill, and one that the bookmakers definitely want to forget..
In August Martinez traveled over to Ireland to take on European Champion Bernard Dunne. The defending champion was a long odds-on favourite for the fight, and his opponent was regarded merely as a stepping to greater thing for the Dubliner. In fact the only people thought Martinez had a chance was his own camp. So confident of victory they ventured into William Hill shop in Donnybrook and backed there man to win in the first round at 66-1
Martinez went on to win the fight in just 86 seconds, and land a bumper payout for his camp. The Spaniards walked away with around €60,000 in winnings, and the result cost the bookmaker around €150,000 in total.
William Hill’s Irish spokesman Tony Kenny commented “It was a real knockout blow for both us, and Bernard Dunne” He continued “We thought that Martinez had a punchers chance of winning, but we were definitely caught cold by that result”
This time the bookmakers aren’t taking any chances with Martinez. They make “La Sensacion” 1-6 to win the fight, and just 16-1 to win the fight in the first round. Meanwhile, the 37 year-old “Pocket Rocket” Wayne McCullough is 7-2 to win the fight, and 6-1 to win the fight on points.
William Hill’s Big Fight odds:
Super Bantamweight fight: 1-6 K. Martinez, 7-2 W McCullough, 20-1 Draw
To win on points: Evens Martinez, 6-1 W McCullough
Martinez round betting: 16-1 Round 1, 16-1 Round 2, 16-1 Round 3, 16-1 Round 4, 16-1 Round 5, 16-1 Round 6, 16-1 Round 7, 16-1 Round 8, 16-1 Round 9, 16-1 Round 10
McCullough round betting: 80-1 Round 1, 80-1 Round 2, 80-1 Round 3, 80-1 Round 4, 80-1 Round 5, 66-1 Round 6, 66-1 Round 7, 66-1 Round 8, 66-1 Round 9, 66-1 Round 10