Charles Martin
My stay in the UK so far has been very good. You know, the people are very nice to me. And we’re just finishing up with the workouts and just staying sharp now, winding down, getting stronger again. And basically we’re ready to (go).
Question
Charles, when the fight came up between yourself and Anthony, what was it that made you decide to immediately, well, throw caution to the wind and go to his hometown and fight the guy that many people think is the next superstar in the heavyweight division?
Charles Martin
Yeah, because just for that reason that everybody thinks that he’s a superstar, and, you know, I know that he’s great. I know that he’s not ready. You know, I’m going to get him right now while he’s great. You know what I mean?
Question
Do you feel like when fans look at this fight they’re seeing two heavyweights that both have outstanding potential or both, good physical specimens that can punch and that have good personalities, all that, but nobody really knows that much yet about how good you or Joshua could be and maybe that this is the fight that you can begin to prove that to people?
Charles Martin
Yeah, that’s pretty good to say, but like I said, I’ve got more fights than him. So, this far in the amateurs and the pros I got more fights than him. So, I just overall got more experience and that’s what I’m basing this off of. It don’t matter about who you got in the ring with as a professional and fought because, you know, the experience and getting comfortable is what it’s all about, you know, and I don’t feel that he’s comfortable enough in the ring and especially not with me being in there. When I get in there and start doing the things that I do in there, you know, he’s gone. It’s going to be a different story. It’s going to be a whole different look.
Question
He says he’s going to knock you out inside six rounds. Your response?
Charles Martin
He’s not ready. He’s not ready, man. He’s not ready. He going to get tired like he always does. Like he normally gets tired thinking he’s going to go five rounds. He’s going to get tired, and that’s when I’m going to jump on (him), period.
Question
So, you’re predicting you’ll knock him out?
Charles Martin
Yeah, I know I’m going to knock him out.
Question
Did you watched any tapes of Anthony’s fights, or any of the other fights that he’s had recently, to give you the opinion that you think that he’s green and he gets tired?
Charles Martin
Yeah, he just — he did get tired. In the Dillian Whyte fight he got real tired and he doesn’t have any footwork. He can’t box. You know, he can’t move. The only thing he’s relying on is his power, and I got more tools than that. I’m more than just a powerful puncher. You know, I can do it all. So, that’s what I’m taking into the fight. I got more in my arsenal. If he thinks he’s going to be able to land hard punches on me and stuff like that, he’s got another thing coming. I’m very elusive. So, we’ll see when it’s time to take care of business.
Question
Do you think because of the way the fight with Glazkov ended that you’re not getting the credit that you think you deserve coming into this fight?
Charles Martin
No, not at all. You know, it is what it is. I’m the World Champion. So, you know, I’m getting respect. You know, I get credit and respect. You know, so, I’m just over here fighting him on his territory, you know, and the UK fans that’s their guy. So, I mean, of course, they’re going to be rooting for him.
Question
How do you think the crowd might affect the fight with the officials and the fact that he’ll be the fan favorite and the local hero? Do you think that’ll have any effect on the way the fight goes on?
Charles Martin
No, because I don’t plan on taking it to the judges’ hands. My judge is my left and my right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIYRSnTxIYM
Question
You could probably have fought anybody after winning the title. What prompted you or what was behind the decision to go to England to defend your title? Not a lot of champions in any division will do that on their first offense. What was behind your reasoning?
Charles Martin
Because probably they’re scared. I ain’t scared, man. I’m here for a reason. I’m here for a reason. And, you know, over here he’s a superstar, man. You know what I’m saying? And we want to take on all these big names. He was the biggest name that we could see this far, you know, besides Tyson Fury. Tyson Fury was already in with Klitschko, and Deontay Wilder was (busy). You know what I’m saying? All the other big names were taken. You know, I’m saying at the time he was the only one that was open, available. So, we figure why not do that? We want to make a name and make a mark on the sport. You know what I mean? That’s what I want to do. You know, I want people to know that he’s down for whatever, whenever, however. If I got to come all the way over here to do it, I’m down for whatever. I’m down for whatever, man.
Question
A lot of people are asking, you know, why did you choose Anthony Joshua? You know, why are you picking this site? Were there other names offered to you, and did you kind of specifically point out and tell your people, ‘Hey, I want to go and fight Anthony Joshua.’
Charles Martin
Yeah, you know, (there was a) small name like Chris Arreola. I don’t want to fight Chris Arreola. Why would I fight Chris Arreola? I can beat Chris Arreola. I know that’s just an easy fighter to beat. You know what I mean? I want somebody, I want the superstars. I want these guys. You know, I’m going to take his space. You know what I mean? Take everything that he thought he was (getting) and it’s going to come this way. I know exactly what I’m doing with this.
Question
Could you tell us some of the things that you’ve added to your camp for this fight?
Charles Martin
Oh, you’d have to take that up with my condition coach. Man, you know, he’s got it down to a science. He went to school for it. He knows what he’s doing. And I just feel overall stronger, you know, faster, stronger, more balanced, core strength. You know, I’m just a different person than I was. So, I’m happy that, you know, the stars were in line once again. You know, the chemistry was right from the start. We hit it off. And he just pushed me to different levels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVZPBM8Ybrs
Question
Joshua was quite critical of your style of boxing. He said you’re a counter puncher who doesn’t work the full round. Your reaction?
Charles Martin
Yeah, see, that’s all he’s seeing is that I’m a counter puncher, but I’m a lot more than just a counter puncher. So, I’m going to let him keep thinking that that’s all that’s to my game. So, that’s fine by me. Keep on thinking that I’m just a counter puncher, if you want to.
Question
If victorious, do you ultimately want to unify the division?
Charles Martin
Yeah, absolutely. That’s what our ultimate goal is, to unify. To get all the belts that’s the ultimate goal.
Question
When Joshua was on the call, he was asked if he thought you would be his toughest opponent. He said, ‘No,’ and that he would finish you inside of six rounds. How do you respond to that?
Charles Martin
That’s fine by me. Words are words. You know, they’re nothing more than what they are. He’s saying that I ain’t his toughest opponent, fine. I’m going to — I’m not even going to say nothing about it. That’s cool, but I like that. I like that, you know? Be confident. Be very confident in what you do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IMd4iRmZDU
Question
What’s your prediction for this fight, Charles?
Charles Martin
Oh, I don’t have any prediction. Man, I’m not the one to predict. I’m a realist. You know, you come out talking that crap, it don’t mean nothing, you know? Predictions, I’m not a prophet. You know what I mean? I’m going to go in there and see what’s in front of me, and who knows how it goes down. You know, if I see (an opportunity), then I’m going to take the initiative. You know, hey, I’m just a technician in there, man. That’s all I can say, I’m a technician, a lot of tools.