On Saturday, September 6, Kiko Martinez will take on Carl Frampton for Martinez’s IBF Super Bantamweight title in a rematch of one of 2013’s most exciting fights. The bout can be seen live in the United States in AWE- A Wealth of Entertainment beginning at 3:30 PM ET.
The 1st fight took place on February 9, 2013 in Belfast, Northern Ireland that saw Frampton score a 9th round stoppage in a grueling battle in front of his rabid fans. The rematch will also take place in Belfast, so expect an electric atmosphere.
“We are very happy to bring this 5-star title fight to the fans in the United States,”said AWE President Charles Herring.
“The 1st fight was sensational and now Martinez is coming back to Ireland as a world champion so now the stakes have been raised. Frampton is undefeated and wants that belts. Martinez has that belt and wants revenge. With all these subplots, this fight had the makings of a classic rematch.”
Martinez (31-4, 23 KO’s) of Spain is a road warrior. He earned his title the hard way by going to fighter’s home countries and putting on great performances. He won his first 17 bouts with big wins over Juan Garcia Martin (12-1) and a shocking 1st round stoppage over previously undefeated and heavy favorite Bernard Dunne (24-0) in Dunne’s hometown of Dublin, Ireland to win the European Super Bantamweight title.
After dropping the belt to Rendall Munroe in England, Martinez won three in a row before losing to Munroe in the rematch and losing future world champion Takalani Ndlovu in South Africa. Martinez went on to win seven in a row which included recapturing the European Super Bantamweight title with a decision over Arsen Martirosyan (16-3). He made two defenses over Jason Booth (36-6) and the rematch with Martirosyan (18-4) before the fight with Frampton.
Martinez has won four in a row which was highlighted by him winning the IBF world championship with a 6th round stoppage over Jhonathan Romero (23-0) on August 17 in Atlantic City. Martinez has made two defenses with a 9th round stoppage over former champion Jeffrey Mathebula (27-4-2) and his last bout when he went to Japan and stopped longtime Bantamweight king Hozumi Hasegawa in 7 rounds on April 23.
Frampton (20-0, 13 KO’s) of Belfast has won all of the regional titles that the United Kingdom and Europe has to offer and now is eagerly awaiting his 1st world title opportunity.
He captured the Celtic Super Bantamweight title, Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title and defended it against Kris Hughes (15-1) & Prosper Ankrah (18-2). He won the IBF Intercontinental title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Raul Hirales (16-0-1). He defended both that title and the Commonwealth title with an explosive 6th round stoppage over former world champion Steve Molitor.
After defeating Martinez, Frampton stopped Jeremy Parodi (35-1-1) in six and his lat bout he destroyed former world champion Hugo Cazares (40-7-2) in two rounds on April 4.
