Munroe to start season with Armenian defence by Tom Podmore Jul 22nd 2008

Rendall Munroe is to make the second defence of his European super-bantamweight title on September 5. The Leicester switch-hitter, 28 and who famously tamed the one-man Spanish Armada, then-unbeaten banger Kiko Martinez, for this Continental belt almost five months ago, will make a voluntary defence against France-based Armenian Arsen Martirosian, 12-1 (3), on Sky Sports' first show of the 2008/09 season. Frank Maloney's FTM Sports will promote. Although Martirosian hasn't really beaten anyone of real note, a few familiar names appear on his record. Moebi Sarouna, a Togolese puncher who gave the recently-crowned British lightweight champion, undefeated Mancunian John Murray, a good tussle over ten rounds in 2006, was outpointed over 12 last year. Nikita Lukin, who has extended the likes of Paul Truscott, Femi Fehintola and Jamie McDonnell on these shores, was also outscored over 36 minutes. Solid if unspectacular form, then. The 31-year-old, rated at eight in the EBU's latest ratings, has also strung together 12 consecutive victories since an eight-round debut loss to Nordine Barmou four years ago. He avenged that blemish in 2005, gaining revenge over eight, and won the EEEU (not to be confused with the EU strap) belt at the start of this year, a clear points nod over the aforementioned Lukin. But Jason Shinfield-trained Munroe, 15-1 (7) and rated nine in the WBA's and eight in the IBF's world rankings, will be on another level to anything he's previously faced. The champion is awkward, leads as a southpaw, is in his prime and virtually toyed with capable Salem Bouaita last time out, forcing the Frenchman to quit on his stool after seven rounds. Rendall is now targeting a world title opportunity in the next 12 months. Before that, however, he has the small matter of two defences of his blue belt, both of which could happen within the space of eight or nine weeks. Martirosian is first and, should the East Midlander come through successfully, which he will be favoured to do, Kiko Martinez, who was recently made mandatory challenger for the belt he lost in March, will be back for a second bite of the cherry before the year draws to a close. No venue has been confirmed for the voluntary but its expected to be at Nottingham's Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre, the site of the former English 8st 10lbs champion's previous European outings.

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