Kiko Martinez vs. Kid Galahad II - Who wins?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Galahad wants Martinez rematch and is hungry for revenge

Kid Galahad lost his IBF featherweight title in dramatic fashion to Spanish veteran Kiko Martinez in Sheffield on November 13.

The 31-year-old Galahad, 28-2, appeared to be in control until the end of the fifth round but then took a massive right hand and hit the deck. Despite having a minute to regroup, he walked back out for the sixth and was dropped by the same shot and his brief title reign was over.


Tris Dixon: How have things been the last couple of weeks?

Kid Galahad: Not good, mate. But, things happen in life and you can’t let things get to you. I just got complacent and it cost me the fight.

TD: Have you been back in the gym?

KG: Yes, I was back in the gym on the Monday morning [after the fight]. That’s how it goes, isn’t it? What can you do?

TD: People were saying beforehand, talking about you fighting [Emanuel] Navarrete and saying Martinez was old, did that lull you in to a false sense of security?

KG: Not really, it’s just what happened on the night. I got complacent in the fight and got caught with a shot I shouldn’t have got caught with and that’s the game, one shot can change it all. I knew he wasn’t past it anyway, with people saying that. I didn’t see things like that.

TD: You said if he had a chance to beat you it was going to be his power that did it?

KG: A hundred percent and that’s it. I got caught out. I’ve got a rematch clause and I told Eddie [Hearn] I want it ASAP and do a job on him this time.

TD: Do you think you’ll have to travel for it this time?

KG: It doesn’t really matter whether I have to travel or not. If I have to travel to Spain I will. I don’t know that he’s a big draw in Spain like that anyway but I don’t really know.

TD: Do you have the beating of him?

KG: Yes. A hundred percent. I believe so. I’ve just got to go in there and do it and that’s it.

TD: Until that one shot, you were in control…

KG: I was. Like I say, I got complacent and that’s it. I took my eye off the ball.

TD: In terms of the stoppage, people have said you shouldn’t have been let out for that final round. Was it matter of you should have just moved to your right instead of your left [away from the Martinez right]. Thoughts?

KG: Yes. In my whole career I’ve never been hurt like that before and if you’ve not been hurt like that before you don’t really know how to react and it’s different. The thing is, people are always going to speculate and say this or that but it’s just one of those things. End of the day, it’s a championship fight. They don’t really understand what’s on the line and everything else but why would they? Why would I not come out for that round?

TD: In terms of how you felt, did you have your senses back before coming out for that round or was it a matter of staying out of trouble for a minute and getting your legs back under you?

KG: Yes, it was trying to stay out of trouble and see where you come from there. The thing is, if you’ve not been in that situation before you don’t know what to do. You have to take the positives out of it and that’s all you can do.

TD: When you say take the positives out of it, do you mean just learn from it?

KG: Yeah, I should have never got complacent and I did. It was all me from the get-go and then there was a split second and that’s boxing for you. I’m not the first and I’m not going to be the last.

TD: You said you didn’t think it was going to be easy but after the start you made, did you switch off and take it for granted?

KG: You know, when I was in there I expected him to hit really hard and he actually didn’t hit as hard as I expected him to hit – until that shot. When you’re getting hit, if you see a shot you can kind of tuck up or ride the shot but I didn’t see it and that’s why it was so effective.

TD: What’s [trainer] Dominic [Ingle] had to say about it?

KG: Nothing. I think everybody was a bit in shock and I’m the last person to take anybody lightly or underestimate anyone or take my eye off the ball and that’s it. It wasn’t like I was getting beat up. It’s different when you’re getting beat up for five or six rounds and then you get knocked out. Then you need to go back to it and see where you went wrong but when you’re getting caught with a shot you shouldn’t get caught with by a puncher that’s the consequences. There’s a long list of fighters who have done the exact same thing, a bit like Lennox Lewis getting knocked out by Hasim Rahman, it depends where you go from this position now. I’ve got a rematch clause and we’re going to get that hopefully February-March time and do a job on him.

TD: Did you have any lasting headaches or issues after or was it just bruised pride?

KG: Just my pride. The mad thing is, I didn’t even come out with a mark on my face. Physically I didn’t have a bruise on my body, head, nowhere.

TD: So you might not get the fight you want next but you should get the fight you need?

KG: And that’s it, that’s the name of boxing and that’s how it goes. It’s about beating him and seeing where you go from there. Of course I want big fights but that’s not the reality of boxing. That’s not how it goes. I’ve been in the game long enough and I understand how it works but now I’ve been knocked out it might be a good thing because people will be saying they can beat me now.

[maverick23]

I think Kid fights a bit more negatively and beats Kiko on points.

I hope they do it in Spain though (assuming Kiko can sell a good few thousand tickets now) as Kiko deserves a home world title fight and the rematch will be a tough sell as a main event in the U.K.

[KiwiRider]

What I got from that, regarding the fight, is what a few people on here were saying.
Kiko was holding back his power. It is something a canny veteran like him would do. Let Barry get complacent, then hit him with the full power.
I actually think Kiko could come out swinging from the first bell and finish Barry early now he knows he can stop him.

[peter barlow]

I'll go Galahad again to be more defensively sound and win possibly via late stoppage accumulation.

[goose 5]

I really hope the rematch is next for both men. The Kid should win it but I wouldn't be shocked if he gets stopped again, only several rounds later this time.

[KiwiRider]

I really hope the rematch is next for both men. The Kid should win it but I wouldn't be shocked if he gets stopped again, only several rounds later this time.

Or... A couple of rounds earlier?
Nothing like the confidence you get from knowing you can do something.

[dan28uk]

Was shocked kiko won , kid should win if he boxes smart and can see him winning wide ud maybe have to adopt the same game plan aj did against Ruiz , will be some mental scarring there i should imagine

[margaret thatcher]

kid was already pretty cautious tbh. and was hardly committing with anything, mostly pitter pat arm punches. had the look to me that he was gonna be cautious first half then open up more on a fading kiko later. but as we saw kiko got to him first...which surprised me cuz kid's defense is usually good and rarely does he get nailed with bombs like that

if he comes out more cautious he'll hardly be doing anything.

[Twinkle Toes]

Galahad was wining the fight comfortably. I don't buy the line that Martinez was hitting him softly to lul him into a false sense of security.

I did notice that Ingle was telling Galahad to take his time. To me Martinez was getting bashed up, and that was with Galahad not fully committing with his offence. I think Galahad could have stepped it up, and he probably should have.

People in the know keep mentioning the weight, but we'll see what happens in the rematch. I'd fancy Galahad in the rematch but he'll be even more cautious and look to fiddle his way to a decision (that's his natural instinct)

The Jazza fight flattered him.

[mickey1975]

Fwank has said "the best thing about that fight is nobody saw it".

[maverick23]

Fwank has said "the best thing about that fight is nobody saw it".

Frank could do with sorting his own stuff out.

[Terminator666]

I’d go for Martinez again. Kids conference will have taken a bashing too

[Ruthless-RKO]

I’d go for Martinez again. Kids conference will have taken a bashing too

I don’t think the conference is what he’s worried about.

But you’re right.

Kiko’s gonna go in there with all the confidence on his shoulders and will look for that similar shot. Kid was already a bit defensive minded, and may be more gun shy in the rematch.

He’ll be scared of falling on the canvas again.

[mickey1975]

I'd be more scared of Eddie not putting it on. I don't think he's in a rush to. Issac Lowe said he was offered pennies for the fight.

[Pugilist-specialist]

Fwank has said "the best thing about that fight is nobody saw it".

In the same interview he spoke of Savannah Marshall losing and Liam Williams pulling out of LAST Saturday's Sky show.

[Webbo911]

Fwank has said "the best thing about that fight is nobody saw it".

In the same interview he spoke of Savannah Marshall losing and Liam Williams pulling out of LAST Saturday's Sky show.

Think he's been losing it for a while, it's expected at his age though.

[stujones]

Fwank has said "the best thing about that fight is nobody saw it".

Frank could do with sorting his own stuff out.

I thought it was a brilliant little dig by Frank, but yes I do agree it comes across as bitter and I wish ALL the British promoters stop interfering or making digs / backhanded compliments or damn right rumours about other bills that don't involve them.

[mickey1975]

Let the man have his moment. He's been on the wrong end of clever comments from Edward for ten years now. Eddie seems to be sending Frank Smith out now to do the heavy lifting.

[stujones]

Let the man have his moment. He's been on the wrong end of clever comments from Edward for ten years now. Eddie seems to be sending Frank Smith out now to do the heavy lifting.

Yeah I agree, Eddie's made countless digs which has probably been put to "he's only saying what we all feel" (and this being accurate) for years.

Just wish though the likes of IFL, boxing social and the like wouldn't ask questions about other promotions / tv deals 1) Its repetitive (how many times do IFL have to ask Frank about BT/Dazn - Frank has said the same answer every frigging time) 2) it makes the promoter come across as bitter and sometimes with egg on their face. Another case in point is if Liam Williams vs Eubank DOES happen - yes sounds like it won't but if Williams' is going for a scan it makes you think there might be some hope that it will - Both Frank and Eddie have reported as off. What's wrong with a "not my fighter, I'm here to chat about ..... ".

[maverick23]

Fwank has said "the best thing about that fight is nobody saw it".

Frank could do with sorting his own stuff out.

I thought it was a brilliant little dig by Frank, but yes I do agree it comes across as bitter and I wish ALL the British promoters stop interfering or making digs / backhanded compliments or damn right rumours about other bills that don't involve them.

If he’s putting on good shows then take a pop by all means but he’s not. For me he’s literally put on a handful of good fights this year and not one good show.

[maverick23]

Let the man have his moment. He's been on the wrong end of clever comments from Edward for ten years now. Eddie seems to be sending Frank Smith out now to do the heavy lifting.

Yeah I agree, Eddie's made countless digs which has probably been put to "he's only saying what we all feel" (and this being accurate) for years.

Just wish though the likes of IFL, boxing social and the like wouldn't ask questions about other promotions / tv deals 1) Its repetitive (how many times do IFL have to ask Frank about BT/Dazn - Frank has said the same answer every frigging time) 2) it makes the promoter come across as bitter and sometimes with egg on their face. Another case in point is if Liam Williams vs Eubank DOES happen - yes sounds like it won't but if Williams' is going for a scan it makes you think there might be some hope that it will - Both Frank and Eddie have reported as off. What's wrong with a "not my fighter, I'm here to chat about ..... ".

I actually don’t mind the questions about other fighters and promoters. I just wish they’d ask slightly more difficult questions - particularly with Frank.

Why wasn’t he asked by Umar what the deal is with Sunny Edwards fighting on someone’s else’s show. And the various other MTK fighters going elsewhere. What about asking why Liam Williams has seemingly left or whether he thinks it’s acceptable for Joyce to be inactive.

They seem to be more challenging with Eddie but there are even things with him they could be more challenging on.

[JamesPhilips]

Is this def happening?

[maverick23]

Is this def happening?

Not definite but likely based on what Kid’s said.

[JamesPhilips]

Is this def happening?

Not definite but likely based on what Kid’s said.

Thanks. Boxing loves a rematch cause

[mickey1975]

I think Eddie will take this to Spain. They've had a few good results recently and it's a Dazn territory. He could build a good card.