Alberto Puello vs Sandor Martin Predictions: The spoiler gets well-deserved shot at the gold

Alberto Puello defends his WBC super lightweight world title against the dangerous Sandor Martin this Saturday, March 1. The fight serves as part of the Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach undercard at the Barclays Center in New York. Prime Video PPV will screen the bout live.

Here are my Puello vs Martin predictions ahead of this world championship meeting.

Alberto Puello vs Sandor Martin Odds

It’s a tight one this. Puello is a rarely-glimpsed 3/4 to secure the win. Martin is 1/1, a reflection of his big fight performances in the past. The draw is priced up at 14/1.

Alberto Puello vs Sandor Martin Fight Preview

Puello enters a fight as world champion for the first time since having his WBC interim bauble upgraded. ‘La Asvipa’ picked that belt up in his last outing, a split decision victory over the unbeaten Gary Antuanne Russell. 

It was a superb meeting of speedy southpaws, with Russell coming out of the gates particularly rapidly. But Puello took control, having success with short left hooks that Russell couldn’t seem to time. The Dominican then started introducing hard rights that took his man off balance and put points in the bank. It was close on the cards, but Puello deserved his win and the belt.

Now that belt is the full WBC world title and Puello’s opponent is a fighter who loves an upset. Martin was a much bigger underdog when he took on the generational talent of Mikey Garcia back in 2021. 

Garcia is a four-weight world champion and had been a permanent fixture of the pound-for-pound list for years. Martin was enlisted as a warm-up intended to smooth Garcia’s road to bigger fights. A keep-fit assignment after a pandemic-long lay-off. 

But Martin had boxed just five months before, albeit at a lower level. The Spaniard was fresh and keen on changing his life. Beating one of the modern greats was a surefire way to accomplish that. Martin won a majority decision over Garcia, propelling himself from European level to the world stage overnight.

Many feel that Martin should have been awarded the nod when he lost via split decision to the world class Teofimo Lopez. The result was called one of the robberies of the year, with Lopez appearing to miss most of his punches while Martin scored. Lopez is a star name while Martin is the plucky underdog, though no such injustice blighted his Garcia bout. 

Martin has won his other three post-Garcia fights, with most viewing that Lopez outing as a moral victory too. Now Puello puts his belt on the line against a challenger who has proven dangerous against the very best. 

There is a difference between being the people’s champion and the actual champion. Martin has built a following due to his all-out performances when the pressure is on. But this is his first world title outing. How will the former European champion respond when the lights are at their brightest?

Equally, what can we expect from Puello as he eases into the role of world champion? One thinks that the kingpin will not vacate the throne easily. He went through hell against Russell and seems willing to do it again. This fight could evolve into a real war for that glistening WBC prize. 

Alberto Puello vs Sandor Martin Full Card

Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach

Jose Valenzuela vs Gary Antuanne Russell

Alberto Puello vs Sandor Martin

Yoenis Tellez vs Julian Williams

Jarrett Hurd vs Johan Gonzalez

Geo Lopez vs Grimardi Machuca

Cristian Cangelosi vs Jarrod Tennant

Dwyke Flemmings Jr vs Florent Dervis

David Whitmire vs Angel Munoz

Alexis De la Cerda Landin vs Sharone Carter

Nasheed H. Smith vs Tariq Green

Deric Davis vs Oscar Eduardo Gonzalez Jr.

Alberto Puello vs Sandor Martin Prediction

This should be a barnburner. I think Martin will make it a contest as we always does. But I really like Puello’s qualities. He does the little things incredibly well, using small feints and deceptive hand-speed to pick apart any dissenters in the ring.

I can see the Dominican star picking up points with his sharp counters and schooled approach. Martin will make it tricky and take some rounds, but I’m going with Puello on points at 13/8.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.