martinez

Kiko Martinez Becomes Two-Time European Champion Stopping Jordan Gill

Written by Jared Parry on 29th October 2022.

36-year-old Kiko Martinez continues to prove age is just a number as he stops Jordan Gill in four rounds to become European champion for a second time.

Martinez would seat Gill four times on his way to victory, twice in the third round and twice in the fourth.

It would be Gill who would make the better start, but the Spaniard quickly grew into the bout and took control in round two as he marched Gill down.

Gill’s face began to mark up, and it was apparent by round three that 36-year-olds punches were doing damage. Early in the third round, Gill touched down, the commentary team thought it was a slip, but the referee thought differently and gave Gill a count. Gill seemed to have recovered and would see out the round, however, a right uppercut found a home on Gill’s chin in the closing stages of the round, sending the Englishman to the canvas again.

Gill produced a stunning comeback in February when he faced Karim Guerfi, and he was hoping to repeat his fortune. However, He would be floored again early in the fourth and rose to his feet very quickly. The Spaniard sensed the finish and would get it, as he marched down Gill, who was cut beneath both eyes, and dropped him for a final time, which saw Gill’s trainer, Dave Coldwell, throw in the towel.

Martinez, who lost the IBF featherweight title in his previous fight, now holds the European strap and is in line for a final eliminator for an IBF title shot, and promoter Eddie Hearn suggested a potential fight with Mexican powerhouse, Mauricio Lara, who defeated Jose Sanmartin in three rounds last weekend.