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Spain’s only world champion, IBF super bantam king Kiko Martinez, will look to make the first defense of his unlikely reign this evening when he meets South Africa’s Jeffrey Mathebula over 12 scheduled rounds in the 2,000 seat arena Pabellon Esperanza Lag in the Valencian city of Elche.
Where do we start with Martinez? The two-time European champion with a pressure style can really punch but until August of last year the top scalp on his resume had been Bernard Dunne and Martinez had been beaten by UK fighters Rendall Munroe and Carl Frampton.
It was therefore a surprising upset when the 27 year old “La Sensacion” went to America and beat up Colombia’s lanky IBF super bantam titlist Jhonatan Romero, who couldn’t defend against the relentless attacks and was stopped in the sixth.
The same approach will probably be applied against Mathebula, who, at 5’11 will absolutely loom over the 5’5 Martinez, 29-4 (21), as Kiko must get in close if he is to have a chance of hitting the towering South African.
But Mathebula, 27-4-2 (14), who held the IBF belt in 2012, is far more experienced than Romero and could actually be the favorite to dethrone Martinez.
Since 2003, the 34 year old “Mongoose” from Brakpan has only come up short against world champs Nonito Donaire, Celestino Caballero and Takalani Ndlovu, the latter whom Mathebula later defeated twice.
Mathebula does not possess a good defense, however, nor good balance. He throws a lot of punches and will almost always be off balance the times when those shots miss.
The South African is especially open to overhand rights, a Martinez specialty, as his left hand drops to waist level after jabbing.
This fight should be a real barnburner as Mathebula will be slinging leather from the start and Martinez will have no choice but to return fire or get outworked.
The victory will go to the man with the better stamina but also, a very good chin will be required.
Martinez fought out of his skin against Romero and will need to do the same to guarantee victory tonight in Spain as Mathebula will know this could be, if he loses, his last opportunity at a world title.
