17.01.08 Kiko Martinez to fight in Nottingham

by MARK EKLID This Is Derbyshire article

Professional boxing is to return to the Harvey Hadden Sports Centre in March with European title action.

It is four years since the venue, at Bilborough just off the Nottingham end of the A52, last hosted a significant pro show but promoter Frank Maloney is to return there to showcase several of the region's boxers, most of them from the Shinfield gym at Somercotes.

One of the Somercotes-based fighters tops the bill, with Rendall Munroe challenging for the European super-bantamweight title against champion Kiko Martinez, the 21-year-old Spaniard who broke Bernard Dunne's 24-bout unbeaten record with a first-round knockout in August to claim the crown.

Martinez has won all 17 of his contests, stopping 14, and English champion Munroe, who has 13 wins and one defeat, is to sidestep a shot at the British title to challenge him.

The strength of the undercard is yet to be confirmed but Derby light-welterweight Scott Haywood and Alfreton light- heavyweight Adie Whitmore are almost certain to feature.

There may be more title action involving Derby-based boxers early this year.

Ovill McKenzie, keen to get back on track after losing his Commonwealth belt to Dean Francis last February, may get the chance to take on Watford's JJ Ojuederie for the WBF world cruiserweight title.

The WBF is one of the lesser world bodies but the fight presents a good opportunity for McKenzie, who had an unconvincing points defeat to Tony Salem last time out in October.

The bout could take place alongside a WBF world title shot for another Clifton Mitchell-trained boxer, Juliette Winter, with a third match against Shanee Martin.

Winter won their first clash in July 2006 for the inaugural British Masters super-flyweight belt and their rematch in December, declared a draw, was voted the fifth-best British fight of the year by Boxing News magazine.

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