Tommy Martin keen to defy tender years against John Wayne Hibbert
Wednesday 27 January 2016 15:02, UK
Tommy Martin is relishing the chance to prove the old adage 'if you're good enough, you're old enough' against John Wayne Hibbert.
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At the age of 21, the unbeaten super-lightweight (13-0-KO5) is already an English champion and steps up to challenge Commonwealth king and close friend John Wayne Hibbert at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night.
Martin told Sky Sports: "Every fight I've had for the last year people tell me I'm too young and talk about experience but I keep stepping up that ladder. Say I get a European shot in my next fight - they'll tell me it's 'too early for Tommy' but you never know do you?
This word 'experience'... he's had about three or four more fights than me and he's 10 years older! What happens when I'm 31? I want to be retired!
"This word 'experience'... he's had about three or four more fights than me and he's 10 years older! What happens when I'm 31? I want to be retired and not fighting for a Commonwealth title.
"I'm very 'tunnel-vision' about it and very professional when it comes to boxing. As soon as I come out of the changing room, I'm just focusing on my opponent.
"I'll be able to hear the extra noise with my mad army coming. The support I've got is unbelievable and I can always hear them in the ring. They always motivate me but in terms of my vision, it's all on Wayne."
Martin was ringside cheering on Hibbert (16-3-KO10) when he took the belt from his old rival Dave Ryan, who suffered a back injury and was halted in the 10th round.
But with fight week well underway, niceties between the pair have been firmly shelved as well as Martin's friendship with Danny 'Cassius' Connor, who wants to fight the winner.
Martin said: "The friendship is over for fight week. Wayne made that clear. That's because tensions are rising and the pressure is on him, but I'm sure we'll have a beer after the fight. I rate him highly. He's been in some cracking wars but I don't believe he's boxed a Tommy Martin yet.
"I felt sympathy for Dave Ryan but at the same time, I was there supporting Wayne and was over the moon for him. What can I say?
"For Danny Connor to call out the Commonwealth champion after he beat a car-washer the other day, how can he do it? My support would want to see me fight him to shut him up but I can't fight the likes of him after this fight.
"Everyone saw how easily I dealt with Ricky Boylan compared to him, which was a close fight. Of course, if the money's right then I'll fight him but I want to keep moving on."
Hibbert v Martin is part of a packed night of boxing in London that includes John Ryder v Sergey Khomitsky supporting George Groves' comeback against Andrea Di Luisa.
