Albuquerque's David "Finito" Martinez is leaving America today for a June 3, 2006 showdown against undefeated Irish hero Bernard Dunne (20-0, 12 KOs) at the National Stadium in Dunne's hometown of Dublin.  In what Dunne hopes will be a tune-up for a shot at the European championship in the fall, Martinez and Dunne will go ten rounds in the junior featherweight division. However, Martinez contacted Boxingtalk as he was preparing to leave fr Ireland and he shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight. With a record of 15-1-1 with 3 KOs, Martinez made it clear that he is going into Dunne’s backyard with every intention of  sending the Dublin faithful home unhappy.


BT: What is the weight limit for your fight against Bernard Dunne and how many rounds is it scheduled for?

DM: The weight class is super bantamweight, which is 122 pounds, but there will be a two-pound weight allowance, so that will make the weight limit 124 max. This fight is not for Dunne’s IBC title, so it will be a ten-round fight.
 
BT: Do you think you will be treated fairly by the judges if the fight goes to the scorecards?

DM: I'm really not sure. I know that because it will not be a title fight, that there will be three Irish judges, instead of two from Ireland and one American if it were a title fight. I just have to go over there focused, ready to fight, and to do my part, and let the judges do theirs.
 
BT: Have you ever fought overseas as an amateur?

DM: I was an elite amateur, and was ranked #1 at 119 pounds. I beat the best in the division, and [also] failed to beat the best as well. I have had the opportunity to fight overseas as an amateur, but as a professional it is way more exciting. In the amateurs you have to make weight every day, so it holds you back a bit.
 
BT: What do you consider to be your strong points as a boxer?

DM: I'm exciting, I can box and punch. I'm adaptable, My record [15-1-1] may be a bit underrated, I believe. It is a little like a contract, if you don't read the fine print, you'll be in trouble! I've never left a fight with out having someone compliment me on the way I perform. Everyone gets their money’s worth!

BT: How much do you know about Dunne, and do you respect him as a fighter or think he is being built up just as a ticket seller?


DM: I respect all fighters. Got to give it where it's due. I take nothing from Bernard Dunne. I do believe he is beatable, I know he can put butts in the seats, and I know he has the ability to be a world champion. He has more fights then me, but I have more experience then him.
 
BT: What can you tell us about your only professional loss, to Tomas Villa. Have you learned anything from the experience?

DM: That's exactly what I was getting to! I have 17 fights with 1 loss, and he has 20 fights, no losses. But being I have that loss gives me the experience of knowing that horrible feeling of losing and I don't want to feel that again. So that makes me a very hungry fighter. Everything happens for a reason. Put it like this, you think if I still was undefeated, would Bernard Dunne's handlers even consider me to go fight Bernard? No.
 
BT: You have fought for regional titles at three different weight classes. What  do you consider to be your ideal weight class to fight in?

DM: I have won the WBC Youth super flyweight title. I fought for the WBC Mundo Hispano title at bantamweight, and won, but later the decision was reversed to a draw. And then I fought Tomas Villa for the NABA title at super bantamweight. We are focused on a super bantamweight [122 pound] world title, but if the opportunity is there at bantamweight [118], I will be more then happy to take it.

BT: Can you tell us more about that draw?

DM: I fought a guy by the name of Ruben Contreras. It was an awkward fight because the guy was short. It was really close, but I [thought I] pulled it off. When the decision was announced, I was the winner. But a couple days later I found out that it was declared a draw. I was upset, I honestly thought about quitting, but I got a phone call to fight for the NABA title against a fella by the name of Tomas Villa who was just a pressure fighter, very dangerous. I took it, and lost. It was all a wake up call. And if you look at Villa as of now, he is pulling upset after upset, so I didn't lose to just anyone.

BT: David, best of luck to you on your trip to Ireland.