Martinez looks a genuine challenger

Boxing/Super Bantamweight contest: After a litany of fickle opponents in Bernard Dunne's lethargic march to 20 professional victories, David Martinez finally looks like presenting a genuine challenge when they meet at the National Stadium tonight (live on RTÉ 2 from 10pm).

They call Martinez "El Finito" and in 17 professional fights only one Tomas Villa has got the better of him. A technical knockout in the 10th round last July after the 23-year-old was cut open by a head butt.

Of course, Dunne's manager Brian Peters is no fool. "Boxing is a business first, sport second," is the Meath publican's mantra.

Glancing back through Martinez's career statistics only two knockouts jump off the page. Dunne's latest opponent is no hard hitter. Durable, but no Michel Hunter. Beat Martinez and a shot at Hunter's European title comes ever closer. That is the goal for 2006. Then America and beyond. And yet, the Dubliner's momentum has slowed in recent times so he needs a convincing display tonight at what is expected to be a typically boisterous National Stadium.

The usual pre-fight abuse was evident this week but at yesterday's weigh-in at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght Martinez distanced himself from earlier comments. Still, he sees this fight as a means to an end. "Tomas Villa and this gentleman (Dunne) are very different fighters but I understand that Bernard will be putting the pressure on because of the outstanding fans he has. I am ready for it.

"I am preparing for a rematch with Villa and, if this is the test, bring it on. People might say it doesn't look like it on paper, but I have the power to beat Bernard Dunne. We'll just have to see if I have the heart. I don't quit and I have come here to fight."

For the record, Dunne weighed in two ounces lighter than his opponent at 8st 11lb and six ounces.

The undercard features Jim Rock against Lee Murtagh for the vacant Irish middleweight title.

The bill: Bernard Dunne v David Martinez; Jim Rock v Lee Murtagh (for the vacant Irish middleweight title); Oisin Fagan v Jeff Thomas (for the vacant Irish light-welterweight title); Paul Griffin v Wladimir Borov; James Moore v Salaheddine Sarhani; Andrew Murray v Tony Jourda; Andrew Wallace v Darius Snarski.