Isley vs Martinez Predictions: ‘Transformer’ hitting his optimal prime
Undefeated middleweights collide this Friday, June 21 as Troy Isley takes on Javier Martinez. The Fontainebleau in Las Vegas will host the bout with Sky Sports Action carrying the broadcast live. The match-up takes place on the undercard of a WBO featherweight title main event between Rafael Espinoza and Sergio Chirino Sanchez.
Here are my Isley vs Martinez predictions ahead of a fight where someone’s ‘0’ must go.
Troy Isley of Washington, D.C. brings an excellent amateur pedigree into the pro game. ‘Transformer’ scooped bronze medals at both the World Championships and Pan-American Games in the unpaid ranks. Promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank have high hopes that the 25-year-old can convert his amateur success to professional championships in the future.
It is a case of so far, so good for Isley. The stylist has racked up 12 wins at about the level of competition you’d expect. He has moved through four, six and eight-rounders at an impressive pace. Isley’s work is considered, smooth and intelligent.
Gritty southpaw Marcos Hernandez was the right sort of test last time out. ‘Madman’ holds a draw over former world champion Jeison Rosario and has also been in with Anthony Dirrell. Isley was forced to deal with constant pressure and did so with class and poise. Some of the combinations he was able to assemble were indicative of a bright future. It was an excellent learning fight from the young man.
In the opposite corner on Friday will be ‘Milwaukee Made’ Javier Martinez. This fight represents a step-up for Isley for two reasons. Firstly, he will be competing over 10 rounds for the first time in his career. Secondly, Martinez is unbeaten and is not just being brought in as a test. The 28-year-old is here to win.
None of the names on Martinez’s record immediately leap out at you. That is not unusual for a man who has had 11 pro fights. A first-round knockout of Isaiah Wise was decent considering it was the first time the Philadelphia fighter had ever been stopped. But make no mistake, Isley is the best boxer Martinez has ever been in with.
Isley is unsurprisingly the favourite here given his history of high-level amateur success and his early pro flashes. ‘Transformer’ is priced up at 1/3 for a victory with an implied probability of 75%. Martinez is sitting at 5/2 with an implied probability of a win at 28.6%. The draw is available at 16/1 which is hard to hate for a battle of unbeaten fighters. 5.9% is your percentage for the bravest amongst you.
Isley vs Martinez Full Card
Rafael Espinoza vs Sergio Chirino Sanchez
Andres Cortes vs Abraham Nova
Troy Isley vs Javier Martinez
Floyd Diaz vs Francisco Pedroza Portillo
Demler Zamora vs Jose Antonio Meza
Steven Navarro vs Juan Pablo Meza
Albert Gonzalez vs Conrado S. Martinez
Emiliano Vargas vs Jose Zaragoza
Prediction
I feel like Isley has this fight well in hand. Martinez is unbeaten but untested I feel. ‘Transformer’ will administer that test and I don’t feel like the Milwaukee native will pass. Neither of these two packs much in the way of power, so I can see a distance fight taking place.
I am opting for Isley on points at 4/6 for my prediction. The 25-year-old looks well-set to become a star one day. That road continues on Friday.
You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page
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