Kiko Martínez


Francisco "Kiko" Martínez Sánchez is a Spanish former professional boxer who competed from 2004 to 2023. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having previously held the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight title from 2013 to 2014, and the IBF featherweight title from 2021 to 2022. At regional level, he held the European super-bantamweight title three times between 2007 and 2013, and the European featherweight title twice in 2018 and 2022 respectively.

Amateur career

Martínez fought extensively as an amateur. He fought 40 amateur bouts and never lost, with 38 of those victories being by knockout. Martinez stated that he "could have gone to the Olympics – the Spanish amateur boxing association wanted me to sign a four-year contract but I wanted to turn professional".

Professional career

Martínez turned professional on 11 June 2004, defeating David Casero by knockout in the third round on a card that included Javier Castillejo.
Martínez went on to win all of his first 11 fights with each victory coming via a knockout within four rounds.

European super-bantamweight champion

On 10 March 2006, Martínez faced Frenchman Salem Bouaita for his EBU European Union super bantamweight title at Pabellón de Elche in Spain. This was Martinez's first fight which went past four rounds and the fight went the full scheduled 10 rounds. Martínez was given a unanimous points win and won the title.
Martínez won a further four fights and became the mandatory challenger European super bantamweight title.

Martínez vs. Dunne

The EBU made Martinez the mandatory challenger for Irish fighter, Bernard Dunne's European super bantamweight title.
Martínez and Dunne clashed on 25 August 2007 at the Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland. This was Martinez's first fight outside of Spain and despite being the challenger he was confident of victory. Martinez stated before the fight that he "might be a little shorter than Bernard but I'm 5 foot 4 inches of a headache for him".
On the night of the fight the Point Depot filled with expectant Irish boxing fans and the fight was beamed live on RTÉ, the Irish national television broadcaster. The fight started with Dunne keeping his guard low and circling Martínez. However, Martínez quickly had Dunne on the canvas with an overhand right. Dunne appeared stunned and unaware of what had happened. Dunne beat the count but was floored twice more before the referee stopped the fight within only 90 seconds of round one.
The Martínez camp stated that they knew there would be a first round victory and that many of them had placed bets worth thousands of pounds with Irish bookmakers at odds of 66/1 that Martínez would win in the first round.

Controversy

Martínez had signed to fight another Irishman, the Las Vegas-based former WBC bantamweight champion, Wayne McCullough at Belfast's Kings Hall on 1 December 2007.
McCullough had not fought for over two years and the Kings Hall venue was sold out for the fight. It was agreed that the non-title fight would take place at. However, on the day before the fight there was uproar during the weigh-in and the fight was cancelled amid chaotic scenes. McCullough had already contracted to fight at 2 lb over the championship weight and he weighed in at. However, Martínez failed to make the agreed weight and was 1.75 lb over the agreed weight.
Martínez was given a couple of hours to shed the excess weight, but did not return to weigh in again and the scales were closed by a BBBofC official. A furious McCullough stated "I couldn't believe it. He comes in over the weight and then after being asked to take it off he just sits there and does nothing. I just can't believe what has happened. I was ready to fight and ready to win and he comes in that much over the weight.".

First loss

Kiko Martínez made his first defence of the EBU super bantamweight title against Rendall Munroe; a title he had successfully taken from Bernard Dunne in August 2007. The fight against Munroe took place at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre, Nottingham on 7 March 2008.
The fight turned out to be fairly uneventful as Munroe countered Martínez by blocking and counterpunching, without ever troubling the champion. Meanwhile, Martinez failed to land the big shots that had seen him stop Bernard Dunne. The fight went the full 12 rounds, with Munroe winning by a majority points decision.

Martínez vs. Frampton

On February 9, 2013, Martínez faced Carl Frampton in front of Frampton's home fans in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. Martinez lost by TKO in Round 9 losing the European Super-bantamweight title.
Carl Frampton and Kiko fought again in September 2014 in Northern Ireland.
“Since the 9th of February 2013, when I get up at five in the morning to go training, I remember him. For me, to defeat him is a greater motivation than the chance to unify the belts," said Martinez.
"I will never forget that night and I will prove that it was just a bad day for me. I am world champion now and my legacy will be bigger for facing Carl Frampton.”

IBF super-bantamweight champion

On 17 August 2013 in New Jersey, Martínez beat Jonatan Romero by TKO to win the IBF Super Bantamweight title. After 2 successful defenses, Martinez then had a rematch with Carl Frampton resulting in Martinez losing his IBF belt.
Since then Martinez has had ten wins and 5 losses. Three of these losses were against World Champions Scott Quigg, Leo Santa Cruz and Gary Russell Jr.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
58LossReiya AbeUD128 Apr 2023Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan
57Win44–11–2Jordan GillTKO4, 2:4429 Oct 2022Wembley Arena, London, EnglandWon list of [European Boxing Union champions#Featherweight|European featherweight title]
56Loss43–11–2Josh WarringtonTKO7, 2:1226 Mar 2022First Direct Arena, Leeds, EnglandLost IBF featherweight title
55Win43–10–2Kid GalahadKO6, 0:0613 Nov 2021Utilita Arena Sheffield, Sheffield, EnglandWon IBF featherweight title
54Win42–10–2Jayro DuranUD811 Sep 2021Pavelló de la Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
53Loss41–10–2Zelfa BarrettUD1213 Feb 2021The SSE Arena, London, EnglandFor IBF Inter-Continental junior-lightweight title
52Win41–9–2Noe Martinez RaygozaTKO3, 2:0921 Aug 2020El Malecon, Torrelavega, Spain
51Win40–9–2Alexander CazaresUD107 Dec 2019Polideportivo Vicente Trueba, Torrelavega, Spain
50Loss39–9–2Gary Russell Jr.TKO5, 2:5218 May 2019Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBC world champions#Featherweight|WBC featherweight title]
49Win39–8–2Marc VidalUD1227 Oct 2018Polideportivo Fernando Martin, Fuenlabrada, SpainWon European featherweight title
48Draw38–8–2Marc Vidal3, 3:0019 May 2018Plaza de Toros, Benidorm, SpainFor European featherweight title;
TD after Vidal was cut
47Win38–8–1Lorenzo ParraKO3, 2:5526 Aug 2017Plaza de Toros, Benidorm, Spain
46Win37–8–1Franklin VarelaTKO4, 1:4014 Jul 2017Palacio de Deportes, Benidorm, Spain
45Loss36–8–1Josh WarringtonMD1213 May 2017First Direct Arena, Leeds, EnglandFor WBC International featherweight title
44Win36–7–1Leonel HernandezPTS825 Nov 2016Palacio de los Deportes, Gijón, Spain
43Draw35–7–1Eusebio Osejo823 Jul 2016Palacio de Deportes, Benidorm, Spain
42Loss35–7Léo Santa CruzTKO5, 2:0927 Feb 2016Honda Center, Anaheim, California, USFor WBA featherweight title
41Win35–6Miguel GonzalezTKO4, 1:3912 Dec 2015Pavelló de la Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
40Win34–6Everth BricenoUD814 Nov 2015Gran Canaria Arena, Las Palmas, Spain
39Win33–6Herald MolinaKO1, 0:5423 Oct 2015Pabellón Pilar Fernández Valderrama, Valladolid, Spain
38Loss32–6Scott QuiggTKO2, 1:0218 Jul 2015Manchester Arena, Manchester, EnglandFor WBA super-bantamweight title
37Win32–5George GachechiladzeTKO2, 3:0012 Dec 2014Pavelló de la Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
36Loss31–5Carl FramptonUD126 Sep 2014Titanic Quarter, Belfast, Northern IrelandLost IBF super-bantamweight title
35Win31–4Hozumi HasegawaTKO7, 1:2023 Apr 2014Osaka-jō Hall, Osaka, JapanRetained IBF super-bantamweight title
34Win30–4Jeffrey MathebulaKO9, 2:0521 Dec 2013Pabellón Esperanza Lag, Elche, SpainRetained IBF super-bantamweight title
33Win29–4Jonatan RomeroTKO6, 2:4017 Aug 2013Revel Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USWon IBF super-bantamweight title
32Win28–4Damian David MarianoTKO2, 1:4127 Apr 2013José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaWon vacant WBC Latino super-bantamweight title
31Loss27–4Carl FramptonTKO9, 2:469 Feb 2013Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern IrelandLost European super-bantamweight title;
For IBF Inter-Continental super-bantamweight title
30Win27–3Dougie CurranPTS621 Jul 2012The Emerald Roadhouse, Belfast, Northern Ireland
29Win26–3Arsen MartirosianTKO12, 0:359 Mar 2012Palais des Sports de Gerland, Lyon, FranceRetained European super-bantamweight title
28Win25–3Jason BoothKO10, 2:2215 Apr 2011La Cubierta, Leganés, SpainWon vacant European super-bantamweight title
27Win24–3Oscar ChacinUD618 Feb 2011Daya Nueva, Spain
26Win23–3Arsen MartirosianUD1211 Sep 2010National Stadium, Dublin, IrelandWon vacant European super-bantamweight title
25Win22–3Feliciano Dario AzuagaTKO3, 1:1216 Apr 2010Valladolid, SpainWon vacant WBO Latino interim super-bantamweight title
24Win21–3Said ChichtiKO1, 2:0711 Dec 2009Daya Nueva, Spain
23Loss20–3Takalani NdlovuUD1225 Sep 2009Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
22Loss20–2Rendall MunroeUD1227 Feb 2009Metrodome, Barnsley, EnglandFor European super-bantamweight title
21Win20–1Gheorghe GhiompiricaPTS618 Dec 2008City University, Dublin, Ireland
20Win19–1Silviu LupuTKO1, 1:1012 Aug 2008Plaza de Toros, Benidorm, Spain
19Win18–1Lante AddyPTS85 Jul 2008National Basketball Arena, Dublin, Ireland
18Loss17–1Rendall Munroe127 Mar 2008Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Nottingham, EnglandLost European super-bantamweight title
17Win17–0Bernard DunneTKO1, 1:2625 Aug 2007Point Theatre, Dublin, IrelandWon European super-bantamweight title
16Win16–0Andrei FlorinTKO1, 3:0018 Mar 2007Polideportivo Municipal, Catral, Spain
15Win15–0Edison TorresUD815 Dec 2006Dolores, Spain
14Win14–0John Bikai1214 Jul 2006Alicante, SpainRetained European Union super-bantamweight title
13Win13–0Andrei FlorinTKO3, 2:3326 May 2006Dolores, Spain
12Win12–0Salem Bouaita1010 Mar 2006Pabellón, Elche, SpainWon European Union super-bantamweight title
11Win11–0Peter BalážKO1, 1:3825 Nov 2005Dolores, Spain
10Win10–0Manuel SequeraKO2, 2:1514 Oct 2005Dolores, Spain
9Win9–0Manuel GomesKO4, 2:0115 Jul 2005Benidorm, Spain
8Win8–0Sergei NikitinTKO2, 1:026 May 2005Alicante, Spain
7Win7–0Frederic BonifaiTKO2, 2:454 Mar 2005León, Spain
6Win6–0Nikolai MihailovTKO4, 2:444 Feb 2005Alcalá de Henares, Spain
5Win5–0Julio VargasTKO4, 0:1119 Nov 2004Torrevieja, Spain
4Win4–0Juan Garcia MartinTKO3, 2:5915 Oct 2004Madrid, Spain
3Win3–0Cristiano Andres Oliveira1, 2:3910 Sep 2004Madrid, Spain
2Win2–0Irimiea IonTKO3, 1:1324 Jul 2004Benidorm, Spain
1Win1–0David Casero3, 2:1411 Jun 2004La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain