Dunne gunning for Hunter as Martinez takes a hammering

BERNARD DUNNE is ready to challenge Michael Hunter for the European super-bantamweight title and, after the Dubliner’s demolition of the promising American David Martinez at the National Stadium on Saturday night, all the indicators point to a showdown in Dublin next October or November.

The Martinez corner called a halt to proceedings 57 seconds into the eighth round when it was blatantly obvious that their man, who had taken a hammering from the determined Dubliner, was going nowhere. Martinez had survived another two-fisted onslaught from Dunne and referee David Irving was quick to respond to the corner.

“Bernard Dunne had won every round and David Martinez had taken quite a lot of punishment,” the referee said afterwards. “I could not disagree with the corner.”