St Neots puncher Martin sets his sights higher after fights fall through
Tommy Martin celebrates his victory over Terry Needham in his last fight. Picture: LAWRENCE LUSTIG - Credit: LAWRENCE LUSTIG
No belt and no opponent . . . it’s no wonder Tommy Martin is a frustrated fighter.
The unbeaten St Neots star relinquished his English light-welterweight crown earlier this month with a British title eliminator against Charlie Rice lined up.
But Islington man Rice has since backed out of the September 12 scrap on a major O2 Arena bill in London after failing to show up for a media launch last week.
“I just don’t get it,” said Martin. “Rice did a lot of talking and the deal was done, but then he didn’t show up.
“No-one has heard from him since and all I can think is that reality hit.
“It’s really disappointing because I vacated my English belt a couple of weeks ago when it looked like this fight was going to happen.
“It would have been a great fight for me as well as Rice would have made me look a million dollars!”
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Martin and his Matchroom Boxing promoters reacted by offering a fight to unbeaten former British Masters champion Rakeem Noble . . . but he has declined due to a holiday!
It has left the ambitious 21 year-old eyeing a rise in class as he bids to establish himself at international level.
“If I got the opportunity to be involved in a big fight as part of a massive TV show, I would forget about the holiday and grab it with both hands,” added Martin.
“We can’t do any more than offer people fights. If they don’t want to take them it tells me it is time to step up.
“I know Eddie Hearn wants me to fight for an Inter-Continental title and get my foot onto the world ladder.
“I know I’m ready for that because I’ve got the momentum of 12 wins behind me.
“All I can do is focus on training hard every day and make sure I’m ready for whoever I face on September 12.”
