Jack Rafferty vs Hovhannes Martirosyan

This could be a tough night’s work for Jack Rafferty, not a soft touch. Hovhannes Martirosyan can box off the back foot and catch a man coming in with a clean right hand. He showed that against Pierce O’Leary, even after being put down. Rafferty cannot just march forward and expect Martirosyan to fold.

What I like about Rafferty is how he judges distance. Against Ekow Essuman, the jab set up his right hand and left hook, and his feet got him back out before Essuman could answer properly. Martirosyan’s danger is that right hand when Rafferty squares up to press. His own problem is the left hook: O’Leary caught him with it coming in and eventually stopped him. I reckon Rafferty keeps the jab busy, works the body and catches him with the hook as the pace takes hold. Rafferty by late stoppage.