Bunema batters Martinez

Oct 5, 2008 - 6:12 AM TEMECULA, California (Ticker) -- Sergio Martinez put on a dazzling display in stopping Alex Bunema at the end of the eighth round of their junior middleweight fight on Saturday at The Pechanga Resort and Casino.

Martinez was in charge from the opening bell. He had too much speed for Bunema, who took a pounding as his foe unloaded combination after combination.

Referee Raul Caiz Sr. had seen enough at the end of the eighth round and asked the doctor to check Bunema. The physician told Caiz that Bunema should not continue, giving Martinez (44-1, 27 KOs) an eighth-round TKO.

Martinez is now the mandatory challenger to WBC junior middleweight champion Vernon Forrest.

Bunema fell to 30-6.