The Winner of Carl Frampton vs. Kiko Martinez
Photo by Lawrence Lustig
Let’s call this a two-for-one inclusion.
Kiko Martinez is the IBF Super Bantamweight Champion and is set to defend that crown against Carl Frampton in September.
Frampton has bested Martinez once in 2012, before Kiko was champion, so their rematch has a ton of intrigue.
Guillermo Rigondeaux has called Frampton and Martinez out already and is eager to unify the titles, which is why it only makes sense for Rigo to want to face the winner.
Frampton—who is also known as The Jackal—has a large fan base in the UK and should he win, a battle of the Jackal’s could be a huge unification bout in Frampton’s native Belfast, though Rigondeaux’s manager Gary Hyde has said it likely won’t happen.
Should Martinez defend his title successfully, Rigondeaux would have another chance to befuddle another come-forward fighter. Who wouldn’t want to see the same relentless Martinez from his title-winning bout against Jhonatan Romero try to break Rigo down?
Regardless of if you’re a fan of Rigondeaux’s or not, you have to love his competitiveness and outspokenness regarding potential matchups with fellow 122-pound champions Leo Santa Cruz and Martinez—via The Telegraph UK:
“I am frustrated that the two other champions in my division – Leo Santa Cruz and Kiko Martinez – will not step up to fight me in title unifications to determine the true world champion. I do not understand that mindset.” -Guillermo Rigondeaux
