MUNROE TO START SEASON WITH ARMENIAN DEFENCE
Tom Podmore
BritishBoxing.net
July 22 2008
UK
Rendall Munroe is to make the second defence of his European
super-bantamweight title on September 5.
The Leicester switch-hitter, 28 and who famously tamed the one-man
Spanish Armada, then-unbeaten banger Kiko Martinez, for this
Continental belt almost five months ago, will make a voluntary
defence against France-based Armenian Arsen Martirosian, 12-1 (3),
on Sky Sports’ first show of the 2008/09 season. Frank Maloney’s FTM
Sports will promote.
Although Martirosian hasn’t really beaten anyone of real note, a
few familiar names appear on his record. Moebi Sarouna, a Togolese
puncher who gave the recently-crowned British lightweight champion,
undefeated Mancunian John Murray, a good tussle over ten rounds in
2006, was outpointed over 12 last year. Nikita Lukin, who has extended
the likes of Paul Truscott, Femi Fehintola and Jamie McDonnell on
these shores, was also outscored over 36 minutes.
Solid if unspectacular form, then.
The 31-year-old, rated at eight in the EBU’s latest ratings, has also
strung together 12 consecutive victories since an eight-round debut
loss to Nordine Barmou four years ago. He avenged that blemish in 2005,
gaining revenge over eight, and won the EEEU (not to be confused with
the EU strap) belt at the start of this year, a clear points nod over
the aforementioned Lukin.
But Jason Shinfield-trained Munroe, 15-1 (7) and rated nine in the
WBA’s and eight in the IBF’s world rankings, will be on another level
to anything he’s previously faced. The champion is awkward, leads as
a southpaw, is in his prime and virtually toyed with capable Salem
Bouaita last time out, forcing the Frenchman to quit on his stool
after seven rounds.
Rendall is now targeting a world title opportunity in the next 12
months. Before that, however, he has the small matter of two defences
of his blue belt, both of which could happen within the space of eight
or nine weeks. Martirosian is first and, should the East Midlander come
through successfully, which he will be favoured to do, Kiko Martinez,
who was recently made mandatory challenger for the belt he lost in
March, will be back for a second bite of the cherry before the year
draws to a close.
No venue has been confirmed for the voluntary but its expected to be
at Nottingham’s Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre, the site of the former
English 8st 10lbs champion’s previous European outings.