Frankie’s Flutters: Martinez a big outsider against Garcia

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http://static.boxrec.com/wiki/5/54/Roman_Martinez.JPGFrank Monkhouse looks for value in this weekend’s action: The focus of this weekend’s boxing betting falls on the American Bank Center in Texas where Mikey Garcia and Roman Martinez settle the WBO super-featherweight title. Although this is a match-up that will intrigue die-hard fight fans, bookmakers have nailed their colours firmly to the mast and make it an easy night for Californian Garcia.

Those who keep a close eye on the domestic boxing scene will remember Puerto Rican Roman Martinez’s last trip to the UK when he arrived the WBO super-featherweight champ and left empty handed having been out-pointed by Scotland’s Ricky Burns in a thrilling contest. “Rocky” had the home favourite on the deck in the opening round that special night back in 2010 before a thrilling comeback saw the title change hands. That remains the 30-year-old’s only defeat from a 30-fight career but he has been written off here with as much as 7/1 (Bet Fred) about him getting the nod. The 5ft 8inch orthodox boxer brings a 53 per cent KO average and is 16/1 (bet365) to extend that, while a third win on the scorecards in his last four fights would net you the same returns at Sky Bet.

 

Red-hot betting favourite Mikey Garcia brings a perfect 32-fight record into this contest having ruled the roost down at featherweight. The 25-year-old banger has halted each of his last 10 opponents with half of those falling inside the first five rounds. He’s aiming to become a two weight world champion and there’s no more than Ladbrokes’ 1/10 about that dream becoming a reality. Another victory inside the distance trades at a short looking 8/15 (bet365) while what would be only his sixth win on the cards is 2/1 (Bet Fred).

The jolly brings some real power to the table but Martinez is a gutsy performer with bags of pride and I don’t see this turning into an early night. Martinez showed against Burns, and when stopping Nicky Cook a year earlier, that he can stand and trade with the best. The fight going beyond 7.5 rounds is a real option at 1/2.

 

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