Jhonatan Romero v Kiko Martinez

It's not often a fighter lives up to his name but Spaniard Kiko Martinez (29-4, 21) really was "La Sensación" in taking the IBF Super Bantamweight title from talented Colombian Jhonathan Romero (23-1, 12) via a stunning 6th round TKO.

Martinez set off at an electric pace and forced Romero on to the ropes where he unloaded. It was shocking that Romero, a genuinely talented boxer, was just being pushed around and bullied by Martinez who Romero within seconds of the bell going. The opening round really did set the tone for Martinez who was relentless and could well have been 10-8 up after just 3 minutes.

Romero fought back in the following 2 rounds as he began to use the ring and box with Martinez, something he really needed to do from the off.

Unfortunately for the Colombian his success didn't last long and Martinez was right back on top of him in the 4th round, another round where Romero was rocked around the ring. It seemed like the Colombian was ready to go down several times though showed great heart to remain on his feet despite taking such a hammering that his eye was badly cut.

Having seen blood, literally, Martinez went straight on the attack in round 5 and although his shots weren't crisp and smooth they were thudding to the head, the body, the arms and every part of Romero that he could land on. It was obvious that he was just going to break him down or die trying.

It was in round 6 that Romero finally ran out of steam and became a human punch bag for Martinez who threw, threw, threw and threw some more and he again sent Romero in to the ropes and unloaded. This time however Romero was unable to get away and his desire to win was wearing down.

The Colombian did land 3 huge shots off the ropes and connected on Martinez with all 3 but the Spaniard shook them off and continued on his attack before finally getting Romero in the corner and forcing the referees hand.

The victory for Martinez was a huge shock. Many, myself included, didn't feel as though Martinez deserved the shot having lost to Carl Frampton last time out, in fact I half expect Frampton to be slashing his wrists right now knowing the man he beat just a title fight whilst he didn't.

It's unlikely Martinez will be a champion for long though it's fair to say that he has just had his moment in the boxing sun.

Jonathan Romero v Alejandro Lopez

In one of the most bizarrely scored fights of the year, Colombian Jonathan Romero (23-0, 12) claimed a split decision victory over Mexican Alejandro Lopez (24-3, 7) to claim the previously vacant IBF Super Bantamweight title.

From the opening bell the quicker, more talented Romero set the tone of the fight landing at will on his slower, clumsier Mexican rival. Although Lopez was game he was simply unable to neutralise the clear advantages that the visiting Colombian had over him. Lopez, fighting in front of his home crowd was valiant round after round as he struggled to connect anything of note.

Although Romero was clearly dominating the bout, he rarely, if ever had Lopez in any real trouble as his lack of world class power was shown up by the fact that Lopez repeatedly took his shots. Sadly for Lopez however he lacked any sort of an equaliser himself to ever try and turn the fight in his direction.

Despite having a point deducted in round 12, it was hard to see the bout as anything but a shut out by Romero, though oddly when the cards came back, the scores of 115-112 (each way) and 111-116 (Romero) were genuinely a shock. Lopez hadn't clearly won a round yet one judge saw him, some how, winning 7. Thankfully, despite the atrocious cards the right man won and claimed the title. Despite the victory, on foreign soil, for Romero it's hard to imagine him giving any of the top Super Bantamweights any real trouble. His speed is solid but his lack of power really will limit him at the higher levels, where fighters like Nonito Donaire will walk through his shots with ease.