BURY world champion boxer Scott Quigg will make a fifth defence of his WBA Super Bantamweight belt against Spain's Kiko Martinez this summer.
The 26-year-old returns to the ring for the first time in eight months at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, July 18 after recovering from a hand injury picked up in his last fight – a points triumph against Japan's Hidenori Otake in Liverpool.
Quigg had hoped to take on Northern Irish rival Carl Frampton but when talks broke down over an all-British showdown, former IBF champion Martinez stepped in.
It will arguably be the toughest test in Quigg's professional career to date against a man who has lost just five of 37 bouts and only once by way of a knockout against Frampton in the first of two defeats to the Belfast star two years ago.
It has been a long time out of the ring for him after five outings in 13 months but Quigg says the enforced absence has made him even hungrier for continued success.
Quigg said: “I was very busy and the break has done me good – I am refreshed.
“We know what Kiko brings, he’s been in everyone’s backyard and this is the toughest fight of my career – but there’s one thing I know, I will beat him on July 18.
“He’s strong, he comes forward and he’s a big puncher.
"It will be the best performance of my career and it will need to be, I predict a devastating victory.
“This is a dangerous fight and those are the ones I want.
"It’s the type of fight that you get out of bed for your morning runs for – the fear of losing that world title makes me work even harder.”
*Tickets go on general sale at noon today, priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 through www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIP’s are available exclusively through www.matchroomboxing.com priced at £300.
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