Roman Martinez v Ricky Burns
It may be the super-featherweights, but Scotland’s Ricky Burns faces a giant task tomorrow night as he challenges unbeaten WBO champion Román Martínez at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.
It’s certainly a tall order for “Rickster”, but at least the Scottish scrapper can count a rambunctious home crowd on his side. Going by Martínez’s comments this week that may actually prove detrimental, the Puerto Rican says he is going to go for the KO just in case the referee gets caught up in a wave of thistle-based patriotism.
It’s set to be a tough night at the office for Burns who goes in as the underdog, but he does have some scope for a victory. He is a punch-and-mover with decent aggression and steely determination, boasting decent power and hand speed as anyone who saw his seventh-round KO of Michael Gomez will testify.
Martínez is similar in the way he operates but is more cobra-esqe in the way he strikes out. Despite being an orthodox fighter “Rocky” exhibits a vicious left arm which can be classed as his most potent weapon and is used with accuracy and force.
Anyone who saw Martínez in his championship-clinching match against another Briton, Nicky Cook, would have got a demonstration of the makeup of the Puerto Rican and a lesson in his sniper-like efficiency. For the majority of the fight Cook looked in control, yet Martínez stayed lose and dropped him with a blazing left uppercut, before sending him sprawling to the canvas again moments later to clinch the victory, proving that he can finish a fight at a moment’s notice.
Martínez is probably the highest standard out there in the super-featherweights right now, but Burns is on a 13-fight winning streak and is looking in great form. He has put his defeats to Alex Arthur and Carl Johanneson behind him and has worked hard to get into this position.
Burns will need to dig deep and rely on a strong chin while drawing strength from a huge support. He would have been pleased to have the fight in Scotland after it was moved from Puerto Rico and it is a massive plus point that could make all the difference in the biggest fight of his career, particularly if it goes to the cards.
It should be an intriguing clash of styles. With only seven KO’s compared to Martínez’s 15, Burns is the less powerful of the two and will not want to go toe-to-toe with Rocky and trade off. Burns needs to stay outside and pick off his opponent, but that is a similar style to the floating Martínez who will look to snap out straights and uppercuts with his lethal left.
It will be interesting to see who takes up the centre of the ring, both fighters like to move, Burns will be looking to dip in throw combinations and show a lot of aggression. Word from his training camp is that he has been in destructive form and he will need to surprise the slick Puerto Rican with heavy fists if he wants to cause an upset.
Martínez will go out and look for the KO, like he showed against Cook; he is capable of producing a leg buckler at any point. Burns chin is strong but he will still need to stay out the way of any fizzers from Martínez, most likely the Scotsman will respond to any by trying to step back and counter punch while staying out of reach.
It should be a close aggressive fight and there’s all to play for despite Martínez being the heavy favourite.
One thing’s for sure, it will be Burns night in Scotland if the Rickster becomes a Roman conqueror.
Prediction: Martínez ninth-12th round KO
Ultimately Martínez could have too much steel for the 27-year old. Burns has the aggression determination and home crowd to make this a great fight, he will not go down easily and will pick up rounds, possibly last the distance, but Martínez has a lot of power in his gloves and his shots could take their toll.
If Rickster can ride out the storm he could ask questions of the Puerto Rican and try and catch him on the ropes with big combinations, but Martínez should be able to wear down his chin and bring Burns 13-fight winning streak to an end.
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