Kid Galahad v Kiko Martinez Boxing Betting Tips & Predictions

Kid Galahad won his first-ever world title back in August, and he will be looking to make a successful first title defence when he takes on veteran fighter Kiko Martinez.

Galahad made Jazz Dickens retire on his stool at Matchroom Headquarters following a barrage of punishment to win the IBF featherweight title.

His first title defence will not be a walkover. He goes up against an opponent who has been fighting as a professional since 2004.

Galahad has a professional record of 29 fights, 28 wins and just one defeat. His only defeat was a points defeat against Josh Warrington in Leeds back in June 2019.

Aside from the Warrington fight, this will be the 31-year-olds toughest fight, and he cannot afford to take his Spanish opponent lightly.

Martinez is a former IBF super bantamweight champion when he knocked out Jonatan Romero in August 2013.

The 35-year-olds record has seen him win 42 of his 54 fights with 10 defeats and two draws. He lost that title against Carl Frampton in September 2014 – the second time he had tasted defeat against the Irishman.

Martinez has been in the ring with the likes of Scott Quigg, Leo Santa Cruz, Warrington and Zelfa Barrett – losing them all – but he is an experienced fighter and can cause Galahad a few problems.

I cannot see those problems being enough to win the fight. Galahad is determined to be a world champion for as long as possible.

The way Galahad battered Dickens into submission last time out, I have been convinced of Galahad’s punching power, and I think we will see more evidence of that on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

I am backing Galahad to dominate the majority of the fight and get Martinez out of there in the sixth round by knockout.

Kid Galahad v Kiko Martinez Boxing Betting Tips & Predictions: Fighter's Predictions

Kid Galahad: “The hardest part was just getting an opponent. They either wanted crazy money or just didn’t want the fight. I don’t understand it, if you are a professional that’s what we do, we fight. Kiko is like a gatekeeper. He’s above European level but the kids he fights at world level are just a bit too good for him. Of course, I want unification and of course I want to be in big domestic fights. They will come as long as you keep winning. It could be next. You can’t have a clear path unless you are a cash cow. You are not going to go one, two then three but I feel like I have zero miles on the clock. Kiko’s a former world champion, he’s solid, he can punch. If you can’t beat Kiko, then you shouldn’t be at world level. If you’re a special fighter, you’ve got to do a job on Kiko Martinez. This is his last chance, I’m expecting the best Kiko on 13th November, he’s going to try and upset the odds. I’m not one of those fighters to take people lightly, whatever he brings, I’m ready. I can’t afford to lose the fight. Doesn’t matter if it’s my hometown crowd or anywhere, I’m going to do a job on him.”

Kiko Martinez: “I am very happy because it is an amazing opportunity to be champion in two different weights. After 17 years of [my] professional boxing career and a lot of wars against the top level [fighters], I want to say thanks to God for this amazing chance. [Kid Galahad] has a difficult boxing style, changing his stance and fighting [from] orthodox or southpaw. I will try to make some adjustments in [my] fight plan and surprise him. I am in a very good moment. I am a veteran. People think that I am like 50 years old, but I made my pro debut at 18. Now I feel very strong and very experienced. I can win this fight. The judges always treated me like a foreigner. The UK is my second home. The fans are the best in the world, but at the end of the day, I am Spanish. I won the fights against [Zelfa] Barrett and [Josh] Warrington, and probably the first fight against [Rendall] Munroe. Anyway, we have a fight plan, and I don’t feel the need to win by knockout. If the judges don’t do their job properly, it is not my problem. I made this mistake in the past, but not now.”