Brand new IBF heavyweight champion “Prince” Charles Martin is eagerly looking forward to his very first title defence. After winning the vacant belt (stripped as it was from Tyson Fury mere days after he’d relieved Wladimir Klitschko of the belt, and also the WBO, WBA and IBO straps) in disappointing fashion against Vyacheslav Glazkov, who injured a knee and could not continue, the unbeaten big man wants a satisfying fight.
The skilled southpaw who most fans are yet to be convinced is the real deal, has a decent list as far as his possible challengers go. According to his promoter, Leon Margules, who spoke with Ring Magazine’s web site, there are four or five names being considered, including unbeaten British star and 2012 Olympic gold medallist, Anthony Joshua.
“We’ve reached out to Joshua’s people,” Margules told RingTV.com. “I think there’s interest on their side but I just don’t know if they think they’re ready yet. We’d go to England if there’s a fight. The kid is a superstar over there. Everyone is saying he is the second coming so let’s find out.”
Margules confirmed some of the other names being considered for Martin’s maiden defence include Chris Arreola, Dominic Breazeale and recent Deontay Wilder KO victim Artur Szpilka. Margules says his fighter has asked him for the Szpilka fight – arguably the least attractive name of the four mentioned in light of the Pole’s brutal defeat at the hands of Wilder.
A Martin-Joshua fight would certainly prove very interesting though. Joshua, who proved he has a chin in his at times tough fight with fellow Brit Dillian Whyte last time out, needs more experience before going for world titles, but Martin is, in the opinion of many, not the proven or finished article himself. But the problem for Joshua would be, if he wins a world title, what then? He’d have to defend it against the top contenders or go for the other belts – but at just 15-0 and with less than two and-a-half years of pro experience, is Joshua ready for 12-rounders against reigning champions?
Martin has already accused Joshua of running scared from him and he wants the fight to take place on April 9th, Joshua’s next confirmed date. If it happens, it would guarantee a sell-out at The O2, but Joshua has plenty of time on his side and Martin may have to continue looking elsewhere for his first challenger as a result. Maybe, if Martin can keep hold of his belt, the two could meet some time next year.
Personally, I’d like to see the always exciting Chris Arreola get a shot at Martin. That fight would tell us quite a lot about whether or not Martin is for real.