WBA (reg) super bantamweight champion Scott Quigg knows he will be in for the fight of his life on Saturday night against former IBF 122 lb boss Kiko Martinez in Manchester, topping the Matchroom Sport double world title “High Stakes” card alongside stablemate Anthony Crolla, who challenges for the WBA 135 lb title against Colombian Darleys Perez.
The Joe Gallagher trained Quigg is under no illusions that he will need a career best performance in front of the partisan Manchester crowd, as Spaniard Martinez is a seasoned road warrior, more than used to boxing – and winning – away from home.
“We know what he brings and he’s not bothered about travelling. He’s travelled all over. As a world champion he travelled. He travelled to win it, and he travelled to defend it”, Quigg said to iFLtv.
“He’s game, he’s ready for it but he’s not gonna be – he thinks he’s ready for Saturday night, (but) he’s not gonna be ready enough.”
“I know what I’ve got to do. The way I’ve prepared in the gym. I say it all the time but this IS the best training camp I’ve had, and (I’m in) the best place physically and mentally.”
“He said he’s expecting the best Scott Quigg, well no one’s seen the best Scott Quigg, and I do believe on Saturday I’ll put in a top performance.”
“I’m confident, very confident. I’m not overlooking him. I realise this is a very dangerous fight and I need to be switched on at all times.”
Either way Quigg’s performance on Saturday will inevitably be compared to rival Carl Frampton, who beat Martinez twice – by stoppage and decision respectively, the last time taking Martinez’s IBF title in September 2014.
If a fight between the two British rivals could get any more appealing, it needs a dominant and classy showing from the WBA champion in order to convince the two warring parties to get back around the negotiating table, and get the fight on for the sake of the fans..
Quigg v Martinez is live, Saturday, on Sky Sports
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