Scott Quigg vs. Kiko Martinez: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Scott Quigg defends his WBA super bantamweight title on Saturday night when he faces experienced challenger Kiko Martinez.

The Bury boxer (30-0-2, 22 KOs) will be in action for the first time in 2015, having undergone hand surgery following the points victory over Hidenori Otake last November.

Martinez, meanwhile, is no stranger to British boxing fans. The Spaniard (32-5, 24 KOs) lost to Leicester's Rendall Munroe twice, in 2008 and then again in 2009, in European title bouts.

He relinquished the same title to Carl Frampton in 2013, before then losing to the same foe a year later, though on that occasion the IBF strap was on the line in Belfast.

When: Saturday, July 18, 10 p.m. BST

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Live Stream: Sky Sports (UK, regional restrictions apply)

Flash the target

Martinez was the back-up plan for Quigg. He had hoped to be going up against Frampton in a summer showdown, but the two sides were unable to agree a deal.

Now, rather than facing each other, the two rivals will instead be in action on the same night, with the Northern Irishman defending his IBF title against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. in El Paso, Texas.

Quigg has stayed right at home for his comeback, but he will be taking on a former Frampton opponent.

However, the 26-year-old is not hoping to catch the eye of Frampton. Instead, as trainer Joe Gallagher told Sky Sports, the target is now former WBA title-holder Nonito Donaire:

"

If he gets past Martinez, it'll be Nonito Donaire. It won't be Carl Frampton. The problem with that fight is Barry McGuigan.

They can dress it up all they want but Frampton was offered £1.5m. That's a very good offer and more money than some of Floyd Mayweather Jr's opponents get.

It's all roads leading to Donaire. That's a huge fight and a name that Quigg is crying out for.

"

Before any further talk of the Filipino Flash, the unbeaten Quigg must first deal with Martinez. It is a bout that offers him the chance to make a real statement in the division.

Martinez is about the furthest thing removed from a routine defence, particularly for a man who is making a comeback following a period out through injury.

The Spanish inquisition

Peter Morrison/Associated Press

Martinez is full of praise for Quigg—but still intends to take the belt from him in his own back yard.

Per Sporting Life, the 29-year-old from Alicante believes Quigg will look to avoid getting involved in a battle, a wise decision considering 75 percent of Martinez's victories are by KO:

"Quigg is a very good fighter—technically he is very close to perfection. But I think that he is not a great slugger and he has not fought against high level opponents like I have.

"I think that he will try to make a long-distance fight, he will look to go to the final round and not change blows with me."

The challenger is the toughest test Quigg will have faced so far in his professional career.

Martinez is an aggressive boxer who won't be hard to find in the ring. While he has five losses on his record, Frampton is the only man to have stopped him.

Like Quigg, Martinez has not fought this year. His last outing was against the overmatched George Gachechiladze last November, resulting in a second-round stoppage in Barcelona.

But, having fought in Argentina, France, Japan and South Africa, he won't be bothered about having to travel to Manchester, making him a dangerous proposition.

Prediction

Quigg is a dedicated professional, so don't expect him to be rusty after his spell on the sidelines.

Martinez is an underdog—OddsShark price him up at 13/4—who has a powerful bite. His record means he deserves plenty of respect.

But, while the reigning champion will be worked hard, he should be able to cope. Expect a successful defence for the home favourite, but don't be surprised if the judges are required to decide the outcome.