Sergio Martinez vs. Barry McGuigan By Proxy In Belfast

Sergio Martinez says Kiko Martinez will beat Carl Frampton inside the distance when the pair clash in ‘Unfinished Business’ on February 9 at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, live on Sky Sports.

The middleweight king manages the European super bantamweight champion who defends his title against unbeaten star Frampton, who happens to be managed by former world champ Barry McGuigan.

Sergio is backing his charge to upset Britain’s hottest super bantamweight in his hometown, and believes he will do so in devastating fashion.

“We are very happy for this fight because it’s going to be like a World title eliminator,” said Sergio. “Frampton is a very good fighter but he won’t be able to live with Kiko for a long fight. Kiko is a true champ who has only a goal, to become a World champion.

“I have known Kiko for many years now. He works very, very hard and he is in tremendous shape for this fight. He is the main man in Europe in the super bantamweight division and he’ll prove that in Belfast.”

Sergio Martinez boxed in Belfast back in April 2004 beating Richard Williams in a World title fight at light middleweight, and the 37 year old is looking forward to returning to witness a huge night of boxing.

“We are very happy to be involved in this event with a company like Matchroom Boxing,” said Sergio. “I’ll be in Belfast supporting Kiko, supporting the sport and supporting everybody who helps us fighters do what we love.”

Frampton and Martinez lead an exciting line-up at the Odyssey Arena with Martin Lindsay challenging Lee Selby for the British featherweight title in a mouth-watering chief support bout. Belfast’s Jamie Conlan challenges Yaqub Kareem for the Commonwealth super flyweight title and there’s an all-Dublin middleweight clash as World title challenger Andy Lee faces Anthony Fitzgerald.

Dungiven’s Prizefighter middleweight champ Eamonn O’Kane looks to bounce back to winning ways, Belfast’s ‘Insane’ Daniel McShane boxes for the third time as a pro on the bill, as does former Team GB star Callum Smith.

Tickets for ‘Unfinished Business’ featuring Carl Frampton vs. Kiko Martinez at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday February 9 are on sale now. Floor and tiered seats are on sale from the Odyssey Arena website www.odysseyarena.com priced £30, £40 and £60, while Ringside tickets at £100 and Inner-Ringside VIP tickets at £150 are both available from Matchroom Boxing’s website www.matchroomboxing.com