BOXING: David Martinez will become the latest obstacle in the slow burn career of super bantamweight Bernard Dunne when they meet at the National Stadium on June 3rd, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
Martinez brings an impressive record of 15 wins and a draw from 17 outings, but only two knockouts and one TKO is hardly intimidating.
A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Martinez becomes the Dubliner's fifth opponent at the National Stadium. The 22-year-old's career stalled last July after defeat to Tomas Villa. Dunne remains undefeated in 21 professional fights.
The main question for promoter Brian Peters at yesterday's announcement in the Burlington hotel, Dublin, was when a shot at European champion Michael Hunter will materialise. "Probably October or November," replied Peters. "Hunter is fighting on Friday night, against a tough opponent in the Spaniard German Guartos . . Presuming he comes through that his people will be at ringside (in June), so we'll talk."
Peters admitted financial negotiations will decide whether such a fight would take place in Dublin or on English soil.
The perfect scenario for Irish boxing would see Dunne versus Hunter with an undercard of Jim Rock against undefeated, New York-based John Duddy at a packed Point later this year.
