Juan Carlos Payano-Kiko Martinez in Early Talks

By Carlos Boogs

BoxingScene.com has been advised that negotiations have opened up to explore the possibility of a fight between WBA bantamweight champion Juan Carlos Payano (16-0, 8KOs) of the Domenican Republic and former IBF super bantamweight king Kiko Martinez (32-5, 24KOs) of Spain. Talks are in the early stages and no date, weight limit, television network or location has been mentioned, yet.

Payano captured the title last September with a six round technical decision win over longtime champion Anselmo "Chemito" Moreno. He later signed on with powerful adviser Al Haymon.

Martinez lost his title only twenty days prior to Payano's biggest career win. He lost a twelve round unanimous decision in his rematch with Carl Frampton, but bounced back in December with a second round knockout of George Gachechiladze.