Russell Jr vs Martinez

Who won Russell Jr vs Martinez?

Gary Russell Jr beat Kiko Martinez by technical knockout in the 5th round on Saturday, May 18th, 2019, at Barclays Center, New York.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Featherweight division, which meant the weight limit was 126 pounds (9 stone or 57.1 kg).

This contest was for the WBC featherweight championship of the world.

This fight appeared on the undercard of Deontay Wilder's and Dominic Breazeale's clash for the WBC World Heavyweight championship.

Russell Jr vs Martinez stats

Back in May 2019, Gary Russell Jr stepped into the ring with a record of 29 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, 17 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Kiko Martinez made his way to the ring with a record of 39 wins, 8 losses and 2 draws, with 28 of those wins by knockout.

The stats suggested Martinez had an advantage in power over Russell Jr, with a 72% knockout percentage compared to Russell Jr's 59%.

Gary Russell Jr was the younger man by 2 years, at 31 years old.

Martinez had a 2-inch reach advantage.

Gary Russell Jr fought out of the southpaw stance, while Kiko Martinez was an orthodox fighter.

Russell Jr was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 19 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2009, 4 years and 7 months later than Martinez, whose first professional fight was in 2004. He had fought 177 fewer professional rounds, totaling 172 compared to Martinez's 349.

Kiko Martinez was ranked number 3 by the WBC in the 126lb division.

Russell Jr vs Martinez form

Russell Jr had won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 3 of them, going the distance twice.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Diaz on May 19, 2018, by unanimous decision in their WBC World Featherweight championship fight at MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, United States.

Prior to that, he had won against Oscar Escandon on May 20, 2017, by technical knockout in the 7th round in their WBC World Featherweight championship fight at MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Patrick Hyland on April 16, 2016, by technical knockout in the 2nd round in their WBC World Featherweight championship fight at Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket.

Before that, he had defeated Jhonny Gonzalez on March 28, 2015, by technical knockout in the 4th round in their WBC World Featherweight championship fight at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas.

He had won against Christopher Martin on December 20, 2014, by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton.

Kiko Martinez had stopped 1 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had lost to Josh Warrington on May 13, 2017, by majority decision in their 12 round contest at First Direct Arena, Leeds, United Kingdom.

Prior to that, he had been beaten by Leo Santa Cruz on February 27, 2016, by technical knockout in the 5th round in their WBA Super World Featherweight championship fight at Honda Center, Anaheim, United States.

Going into that contest, he had lost to Scott Quigg on July 18, 2015, by technical knockout in the 2nd round in their WBA World Super Bantamweight championship fight at Manchester Arena, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Before that, he had been beaten by Carl Frampton on September 6, 2014, by unanimous decision in their IBF World Junior Featherweight championship fight at Titanic Quarter, Belfast.

He had defeated Hozumi Hasegawa on April 23, 2014, by technical knockout in the 7th round in their IBF World Junior Featherweight championship fight at Osaka-Jo Hall, Osaka, Japan.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Gary Russell Jr had been fighting more than Kiko Martinez.

Going into this contest, Gary Russell Jr had last fought 11 months and 29 days ago, while Kiko Martinez's last outing had been 2 years and 5 days ago.

Russell Jr's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 4 months and 28 days, which means he had been fighting approximately every 10 months and 18 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 35 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 7 rounds on average.

Martinez's last 5 fights had come over a period of 5 years and 25 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 1 year and 5 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 38 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 7.6 rounds on average.

What time did Russell Jr vs Martinez start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 10:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM PST at Barclays Center, New York, United States, which was around 3:00 AM BST in the UK.

Who broadcast Russell Jr vs Martinez?

Russell Jr vs Martinez was broadcast on ShowTime in the US, while the fight was broadcast in the United Kingdom by Sky Sports Action.

What were the odds on Russell Jr vs Martinez?

Gary Russell Jr was a 1/50 (-5000) favorite going into the contest, while Kiko Martinez made his way into the ring at 12/1 (+1200) with oddsmakers.