KIKO MARTINEZ has introduced his retirement from boxing.
After a profession spanning 19 years the 37-year-old Spaniard finishes with a file of 44-12-2 (31). His ultimate battle got here in April in opposition to Reiya Abe. The Japanese featherweight bested the veteran over 12 rounds incomes a large unanimous determination.
‘La Sensacion’ (The Sensation) notched up many air miles through the years with 24 of his fights going down abroad. The first of which earned him his first notable win when he travelled to Dublin to face Bernard Dunne on (*58*) 25, 2007. Martinez, sporting a full head of hair, wanted simply over 90 seconds to interrupt Irish hearts and take away the European super-bantamweight title from Dunne. It was additionally an illustration of the Spaniard’s famend punching energy which might go on to serve him effectively.
Martinez additionally fought in South Africa, France, Argentina, Japan, and the UK the place 11 of his fights happened in opposition to Rendall Munroe (twice), Carl Frampton (twice), Dougie Curran, Scott Quigg, Josh Warrington (twice), Zelfa Barrett, Kid Galahad and Jordan Gill. However, it might not be a cheerful looking floor for Martinez who misplaced on eight events however received in opposition to Curran, Galahad, and Gill.
“The time has come. Thank you to everyone!” Martinez wrote on Instagram the place he additionally posted a retirement announcement video in Spanish.
Warrington, who stopped Martinez of their rematch in March 2022, replied, “Congratulations Kiko on a fantastic career. It was an honour to share the ring with you on both occasions. Wish you all the best in the future my friend. A real fighting man.”
Matchroom Boxing, Maxi Hughes, Ellie Scotney, Shane McGuigan, Darren Barker, Kane Baker and Sandor Martin posted their very own effectively needs.
Frampton additionally paid tribute on Twitter saying, “Spain’s greatest ever fighter. I’ve a lot of respect for the majority of my opponents but none more than @MartinezKiko. Enjoy your retirement Campeón.”
Having received the European 122lbs belt for a second time Martinez ventured to Belfast in February 2013 to make his third defence in opposition to Frampton the place ‘The Jackal’ received by ninth spherical stoppage. Martinez, as so usually he would, bounced again to grow to be the IBF world champion after beating Jonathan Romero earlier than dispatching of Jeffrey Mathebula and Hozumi Hasegawa throughout a busy interval. But Frampton would cease his march as soon as once more by beating his outdated adversary in a far nearer encounter 19 months on from their first.
Martinez moved to featherweight and have become a two-weight European champion however discovered Gary Russell Jr a step too far when difficult for world honours at 130lbs in May 2019.
A vastly controversial loss to Zelfa Barrett in February 2021 was softened when Martinez returned to the UK as soon as once more to thump Kid Galahad in six rounds and grow to be IBF featherweight champion on the age of 35. The rollercoaster continued when he was stopped by Warrington within the seventh spherical of his first title defence earlier than halting Jordan Gill in 4 rounds in his third consecutive go to to the UK.
The profession of Kiko Martinez was full of drama, motion, knockdowns and general, one that won’t be forgotten any time quickly. Everyone at Boxing News needs ‘La Sensacion’ a cheerful retirement.
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