Frank Maloney Boxing: Rendall Munroe Leaves No Stone Unturned For Martinez Defense

Rendall Munroe has spent £5,000 to make sure it is all right on the biggest night of his boxing life. The Leicester dustman defends his European super-bantamweight title at Barnsley Metrodome on Friday, February 27 when he faces mandatory contender Kiko Martinez in a rematch. Munroe, 28, won the title when he outpointed the Spaniard, 20-1, in a huge upset last March and has made three successful defences.

Southpaw Munroe, 17-1, is taking no chances and promoter Frank Maloney said, “I think this camp is costing Rendall a few grand, but this is a tough, tough fight. “Rendall has forked out a small fortune importing sparring partners from Europe and also brought in Gary Davies who recently beat Martin Power. “Gary is ideal sparring.

Just like Martinez, he carries a heavy dig with the overhand right. There is no doubt that this is the most important fight of his life and one he must win to move on to the next level.

“Martinez is world class and if Rendall come through well then there could be a big fight for him in May that will capture the public’s imagination.”

Maloney managed to get home advantage, but Martinez and his manager, “Father Ted” lookalike, Pat Magee, insisted the fight take place outside the East Midlands. Maloney added: “Even though Barnsley is fair trek from Leicester, plenty of Munroe’s fans have bought tickets and he is becoming more and more popular.”

In the chief supporting contest Munroe’s stable Scott Haywood, 19-2, moves into world class when he challenges WBC ranked number three Ajose Olusegun for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title. Tickets for the show priced £35 and £75 are available from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com