Spanish veteran Kiko Martinez (43-10-2, 30 KOs) provided one of the shocks of the year last night with a stunning sixth round TKO win over Kid Galahad (28-2, 17 KOs) to capture the IBF featherweight title in Sheffield.
Galahad, who was making the first defence of his title, began proceedings in dominant fashion; hurting Martinez with a stiff southpaw left hand in the opening round before going on to dominate the first four sessions in a largely controlled, impressive performance.
However, with just fifteen seconds remaining in the fifth, ‘La Sensacion’ uncorked a monstrous overhand right that landed flush on the chin of Galahad, sending the Wincobank-native crashing to the canvas for the first time since 2012.
Though Galahad made it to his feet and saw out the remaining seconds of the round, he simply wasn’t able to recover, succumbing to another right hand just seconds into the sixth which left him unconscious – and beltless – in a heap.
Cue the celebrations for Martinez, who became a two-weight world champion at the ripe old age of 35 and broke a five-fight losing streak on British soil in the most emphatic fashion.
Elsewhere on the undercard, WBC super-featherweight champion Terri Harper was upset by slick American Alycia Baumgardner, losing her title in brutal fashion via fourth round TKO.
A night to forget for British boxing…
Feature image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing