By Mark Vester
Rising Dublin star Bernard Dunne (24-0, 14KOs) is set for a big test when he meets undefeated hitter Kiko Martinez (16-0, 13KOs) of Spain on Aug. 25 at The Point in Dublin, Ireland. Martinez is the mandatory to Dunne's European super bantamweight title.
Dunne tells the Belfast Telegraph that a bout with Martinez has been discussed for quite some time in European press and among fans. He's looking forward to satisfying the boxing public in more ways than one.
He knows the super bantamweight division is red hot and feels that a big win over Martinez will help him get in a much better position in the rankings to land a major title shot against one of the four reigning kings, Steve Moliter, Israel Vazquez, Celestino Caballero or Daniel Ponce De Leon.
"I've seen a few tapes and I've seen knock guys out cold so he has got power and he seems to love the left hook," said Dunne. "Martinez is a hungry, young fighter and he seems to have been on everyone's lips ever since I won the title.
"Now the public have got the chance to see just what he is like and what challenge he is going to bring and that has brought a real buzz around this fight. I see him as another stepping stone to a world title fight and he wants to get to where I am at the moment. That makes it a very big fight for me - a launching pad onto the world title stage.
"I know that I am already highly ranked in the world governing bodies but this will take me up into the top five."
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