O’Leary vs Martirosyan Predictions: ‘Big Bang’ the theory for O’Leary

Frank Warren’s Magnificent Seven bonanza in Birmingham on Saturday March 16 features some tasty super lightweight action. Ireland’s Pierce O’Leary and Belgium’s Hovhannes Martirosyan meet in a clash of unbeaten prospects. O’Leary’s WBC international championship is on the line and with it will surely come a solid ranking with the organisation. Here are my O’Leary vs Martirosyan predictions.

O’Leary is carving out a reputation for getting it done on the big stage. The Dubliner has won at the O2 Arena, SSE Arena in Belfast and the Copper Box in his last three fights. Birmingham’s famed former NEC is another big-ticket venue for O’Leary to flex in front of. This is a fighter who is attracting eyeballs and impressing in front of them. 

While O’Leary has been making stops in Britain and Ireland’s biggest arenas, Martirosyan is yet to fight outside his home country of Belgium. The 16-0 star has impressed so far, racking up 10 knockouts. A raft of titles such as the WBC Francophone belt, the BeNeLux championship and the IBO international gong have painted a picture of a fighter on the right path. Now Martirosyan faces his toughest test.

Despite his ‘Big Bang’ moniker, O’Leary has only dispatched seven of his 13 opponents. He can mix it up but he isn’t a devastating puncher. Martirosyan has actually had more success in this metric, with the 10 knockouts from 16 fights I mentioned previously. Granted, the majority came against journeymen, but that’s the name of the game at this stage of a career.

He’ll find this a lot tougher. O’Leary is a nine-time national amateur champion who has looked broadly untroubled in the pros so far. There is nothing to indicate the occasion will overwhelm him, so accustomed is he to bright lights and baying crowds by now. This stacked card will see some fighters lost in the shuffle. But O’Leary knows how to capture a crowd and he won’t rest unless the crowd is talking about him by night’s end.

For what it’s worth, I feel like they will be. Last year’s first-round stoppage of Alin Cioceri showed the sort of excitement the Irishman can bring. The way he fought through a nasty cut against Kane Gardner in September showed grit that will serve him well here. With a fair few travelling fans behind him, I can see this one being intimidating for Martirosyan. Fighting away from home is one thing. Fighting in a hostile atmosphere against a man well-versed in boxing for deafening arena crowds is quite another.

I can see O’Leary swarming his man after the halfway mark here. I just think the crackling atmosphere will fire the champion up and set him on his way. I’m going for the 4/1 shot of an O’Leary victory in rounds 7-8. Another big arena win and the table set for the next big occasion for ‘Big Bang’.

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