Whilst, naturally as a British based web-site, we?re hanging our hopes on Anthony Joshua becoming the IBF world heavyweight champion this Saturday evening, we realise it would be dangerous and foolish to ignore completely the current IBF champion, Prince Charles Martin.
Martin won the IBF belt, back in January when he defeated Vyacheslav Glazkov, after the IBF had stripped Tyson Fury of the belt he?d won against Waldimir Klitschko.
However, in beating Glazkov we learned very little about the new champion s the bout was stopped in the third round after Glazkov picked up a bad knee injury.
Some pundits, have suggested that Martin has made the pilgrimage to London merely to take a purse that will set him up for life, knowing that in doing so he could be beaten by Antony Joshua thereby losing the crown he?s held since January.
But, at the last press-conference ahead of the big showdown at the O2 Arena, Martin took the opportunity to clarify matters with the American who is unbeaten in twenty-four fights, winning twenty-three and drawing one, remarking,
‘They’re paying me a lot of money, but a lot of money isn’t enough money.
‘I’m here to successfully defend my title and go and get more money. This isn’t enough to make me comfortable, this is just the beginning. My plans are enormous.
‘I don’t need to be in a fortress with everyone yelling my name, the only thing that matters is what’s going on in his head and what’s going on in my head.
‘It’s two big, young, heavy-hitting, hungry lions of the sport. That’s what people want to see, we’re bringing the heavyweight division back to life.
‘I’ve put gallons of blood, sweat and tears into this game. We’ve both got the same tools, two arms and two legs, so it might come down to who wants it most.’
Well he certainly talks a good fight, come 23:00 hours on Saturday night we?ll see if he can back those words up.
Martin ? Money Isn?t Everything!
