Alexander Povetkin brutally knocks out David Price after a shaky start in Cardiff.

Former WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs) scored a brutal fifth round KO over hugely unfavored David Price (22-5, 18 KOs) tonight in the chief support feature in Cardiff. Povetkin had Price on the floor in round three from a vicious hook, Price regained his composure and managed to stun Povetkin, sending him into the ropes at the end of the round, Howard Foster administered an 8 count, ruling it a flash knockdown. With Povetkin appearing tired and disorganised, Price began to patiently dictate the action with the jab, riding the predictable waves of action from the Russian comfortably.. Povetkin found the breakthrough at the end of round five, a looping right hand left the Liverpool man upright but motionless, followed by a savage left hook that snapped the defenceless fighters head back, laying Price out cold..
Time was 1:02.
The fight was a huge ask for Price who entered the bout with nothing to lose..
Povetkin is now WBA mandatory for Anthony Joshua’s titles, but appeared verbally willing at ringside to fight Dillian Whyte next..

Ryan Burnett retains WBA Super title with tough points victory over Yonfrez Parejo.

Belfast’s WBA Super world Bantamweight champion Ryan Burnett 18-0 (9 Ko’s) made a first defence of his title with a hard fought 12 round unanimous decision over tough Venezuelan, Yonfrez Parejo 31-2-1 (10 Ko’s).. Burnett was reluctantly forced to relinquish the IBF belt he took from Lee Haskins a year ago due to a failed mandatory obligation, but looked completely unfazed, focussing fully on the task in hand. Both fighters fenced for openings early, with neither man committing in a battle that looked destined to be a tight knit affair.
The chess match edged the champions way in the fourth, with Burnett landing the cleaner more eye catching shots on the more predictable Parejo. The Venezuelan responded successfully with decent counters in the 5th but found himself returning to the back foot at the mercy of the accuracy of the champion in round 6. The capable visitor did appear to look frustrated through 7 and 8 as Burnett dictated the pattern of the action, Parejo often losing his composure in spells. Round 9 saw Parejo spring to life in an attempt to re-establish himself in the fight, displaying the type of class that earned himself the opportunity. Burnett showed great patience going into the tenth, comfortably in control yet consistently respectful of Parejo’s determined challenge. The illusive Burnett did start to apply pressure through the final minutes in an attempt to finish in style.. Both fighters continued to engage throughout the final round of a bout that was highly entertaining but always in the Champions favour.
Scores were.. 120-108 Twice.. 116-112.

Following the bout, Burnett revealed that he had boxed from round 3 onwards with a broken hand.

Cardiff latest.. Anthony Crolla labours to points victory over tougher than expected Ramirez.

Former WBA world lightweight champion Anthony Crolla 32-6-3 (13 Ko’s) scored a laboured time filling 10 round points victory over stubborn, Edson Ramirez 18-2-1 (8 Ko’s).. This tougher than expected matchup was only Crolla’s second outing since losing his treasured world title last March to the tough Jorge Linares.. Crolla suffered a cut eye in the third as a result of a clumsy head-butt, yet maintained his composure and continued to impose himself on the limited but rugged Mexican.. Despite sleepwalking his way through the middle rounds the Manchester fighter stuck to task, never allowing Ramirez the chance to catch a foothold in the contest. Bleeding profusely from the eye, Crolla stuck to his guns to notch up the W over an extremely tough visitor, pulled from the top drawer of the ‘who needs em club.’
Crolla is enjoying the twilight years of a 12 year career, is still banking on a final world title opportunity, but will definitely need a better selection of dance partner to showcase himself back to elite contention..
Points were... 100-91.. 100-90.. 98-92..

Cardiff Undercard results.. Josh Kelly dominates Jaded Carlos Molina.

Former 2016 Olympian Josh Kelly 5-0 (4 Ko’s) scored his biggest scalp to date by outpointing former IBF light middleweight champion Carlos Molina 28-8-2 (8 Ko’s) over 10 in Cardiff tonight, picking up the vacant WBA international Welterweight title.. Molina offered very little in the early rounds, allowing the young North East fighter to set the tempo of the bout.. Crisp jabs and a tight defence prevented the Chicago based Mexican from grabbing any momentum in a fight that always looked beyond him.. Kelly began to set his feet from round 6 onwards, obviously having no respect for the visitors power, looking for opportunities for the stoppage.. The experienced Molina did manage to mount a rally in the eighth, but was forced once again to go into survival mode as Josh maintained his dominance. A convincing victory over a fighter who had definitely seen better days, Molina coming off 2 successive points defeats..
Scores were..   98-92 twice.. and 99-91

Early results from Cardiff.. Cordina remains unbeaten.

Unbeaten local boy, Joe Cordina 6-0 (5 Ko’s) scored an impressive 3rd round stoppage of Belgium’s Hakim Ben Ali, 19-5 (1 Ko) in the opening tv bout at the Principality tonight in Cardiff.. Joe steadily worked the experienced Ali over, dropping him 3 times in the closer.. The stoppage is a bonus for the young Olympian, Ali having only been stopped once previously in a 24 fight career..

Heavyweight betting odds for tomorrow’s fights.

Interesting action in the sports books this weekend concerning tomorrow’s two major heavyweight bouts in Cardiff, and with just 24 hours to go the numbers leave very little for the gambling man to profit from.. Anthony Joshua has settled as 1/17 favourite to beat Jo Parker, who himself rides in as an Evens (5/5) underdog to pull the upset.. Not extremely generous.. Joshua to win by knockout is the slimmest odds at 1/36, the alternative Parker Ko or stoppage placed at a healthy 8/0.. Bookmakers appear to be overlooking a Joshua points victory by offering a quite lucrative 5/0 alongside an equally mouthwatering 8/0 for a Parker points victory.. The draw, being the most unlikely eventuality May draw opportunists with an alluring 41/0..

The oddsmakers do seem to be offering slightly more in the bout between former world champion Alex Povetkin and the UK’s hugely popular David Price.. Predictably they have Povetkin as a 1/06 favourite, odds that appear hardly worth spitting at, while in contrast they place Price as a sizeable 10/0 underdog.. Surprisingly they have attractive odds on a Povetkin points win at 9/0, with the tasty placement of 34/0 on the hugely unlikely Price points win, 25 points separating impossibility from a distinct possibility.. The bookmakers expectations all point towards a Povetkin stoppage at an almost inactive 1/13 and the alternative upset Price knockout placed at 11/0.. leaving once again a sizeable chancers bet on the draw at 51/0..

Gamble sensibly.. Mirageboxings tip being the Povetkin points win.. Most of the obvious outcomes offering nothing.. Povetkin has a habit of allowing fighters, usually levels beneath him to hang around into the late rounds.. 9/0 is a good punt even if it is just for fun..

NSAC Director Robert Bennett, lodges for disciplinary action against Alvarez over drug test failure.

Nevada State Athletic Control board Director Robert Bennett has finally filed an official lobby for Disciplinary action against Saul Alvarez, following the drug test failure earlier in the month where Canelo tested positive for the banned stimulant Clenbuterol. Bennett’s protest stresses, whether intentional or not, by allowing Clenbuterol to enter his system, Alvarez engaged in conduct that reflected discredit to unarmed combat and is guilty of foul or unsportsmanlike conduct that was detrimental to a contest.
In reference to his complaint, Bennett is requesting that the Commission impose a temporary suspension on Alvarez in compliance with the State Commissions guidelines. If Imposed, such a suspension could render Alvarez ineligible to box for at least six months from the date of the initial infringement, leaving Canelo incapacitated until September. The Commission is scheduled to address the case within 4 weeks..
Alvarez was set to box in a highly anticipated rematch against Gennady Golovkin on May 5th at the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas.. The bout is tentatively still on, although the host venue is already issuing ticket refunds.

Weights from Joshua v Parker card in Cardiff, Wales.

Anthony Joshua 242 vs. Joseph Parker 236
(WBA/IBF/WBO Unification.)

Alexander Povetkin 229 vs. David Price 256
(WBA World title eliminator)

Ryan Burnett 117 vs. Yonfrez Parejo 117
(WBA bantamweight title)

Anthony Crolla 136    vs.   Edson Ramirez 136
Carlos Molina 147      vs.   Josh Kelly 147
Joshua Buatsi 178       vs.   Bartlomiej Grafka 174
Sean McGoldrick 122 vs.   Ricky Little 121
Hakim Ben Ali 134     vs.   Joe Cordina 134
Morgan Jones 167       vs.   Mose Auimatagi 166

The Event is hosted by The Principality Stadium in Cardiff,
and promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

The Main events will be broadcast In the Uk and Europe on Sky Box Office and Coast to Coast in the United States by Showtime.

Deontay Wilder opts to shun Saturdays unification bout in Cardiff..

With less than 24 hours to go before the WBA / WBO and IBF unification bout between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker takes place in Cardiff, the enormity of the electrifying event is well and truly sinking in for all concerned..  Except for WBC Champion, Deontay Wilder.. All of the worlds eyes are on the huge event, the press presence is enormous with most everyone viewing Wilder as a potential opponent for the winner of Saturdays bout.. It only seems obvious that the WBC Champion would attend to stake his case as custodian of the final piece of the unification puzzle.. Wrong.. Deontay Wilder whom is so eager to secure the bout didn’t even take up the offer of an all expenses paid trip to be an honorary guest in Cardiff, a decision that has staggered both Joshua and Parker’s people.. “It’s a PR disaster.” Said Hearn, “He wanted to dictate that he jumped in the ring after the bout to confront the victor,” terms that both Hearn and Joshua weren’t comfortable with.. “He could have sat as close to the ring as he wished, but it’s not hype we need, the fight is hyped, his presence would have allowed us to start negotiating a potential fight immediately, all we can think is that he’s being badly advised.” Wilder went from convincing the world that he was a major force by stopping the much avoided Luis Ortiz a month ago, to appearing incompetent as a serious interest in potentially the biggest heavyweight championship cleanup in 15 years.. Joshua’s mind is firmly focussed on Parker and likewise, while Wilder has no other immediate obligation, even making time to try to swerve a possible Whyte fight with a bunch of impossible conditions.. This weekends stage would have been the perfect platform for Wilder to announce himself in a business manner and make a serious attempt to court the press and voice his intentions.. A no show at an event of this magnitude is a serious black eye to the way his cause will be viewed as a stand up willing participant in the future of the unification proceedings.. Wilder as of tonight has made no moves to travel, and word has it that he has no intentions to, as a snub to Hearn and Joshua.. Such petulance could cost him a lot of points in the war to convince the public at a time when its most crucial.. Regardless, Saturdays fight is big news, with Wilders attendance an afterthought.

Jacobs v Sulecki, WBA middleweight final eliminator in Brooklyn.

Daniel Jacobs and Maciej Sulecki will meet in final eliminator for the WBA World Middleweight title at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on April 28.. The bout will feature on a live Home Box Office event, with the victor becoming mandatory challenger for the possible May 5 rematch between Saul Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin. It’s a huge incentive for Jacobs, to secure a possible rematch with Golovkin and to perform back in his home town for the first time since stopping Sergio Mora back in 2016, in the 4th defense of his WBA crown.
The April date will be Danny’s second appearance under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing USA umbrella. Daniels Matchroom debut was a convincing decision over tough Luis Arias, last November in nearby Uniondale..
Hearn is confident that the 31 year old Miracle man can return to become a dominant force in the 160s, starting with April 28th..

“I’m grateful for the WBA for this opportunity and it gives me even more motivation going into April 28,” said Jacobs. “I feel that I beat GGG in the first fight and everyone knows my plan has always been to fight the winner of the rematch – now there is no hiding place”

Jacobs will be regarded as the WBA number one challenger, regardless of the May 5th bout taking place or not, providing that he comes through Sulecki successfully..

Golovkin v Alvarez Cinco de Mayo rematch in trouble.

The highly anticipated return bout between Saul Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) and 3 belt middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) appears to be in dire straits by all accounts. The fight was scheduled to play out on Cinco de Mayo weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, site of their initial meeting last September, broadcast live as part of a pay per view event by Home Box Office..
The trouble stems from Alvarez’ recent suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after twice testing positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol last month. Canelo has a hearing scheduled for April 10th to plead his case to the NSAC and is currently unsure of his immediate boxing future.. The Mexicans team did issue a lame statement that claims the traces of Clenbuterol were down to a batch of conveniently contaminated meat, of which there have been historically confirmed prior cases in South America.
The outcome is yet unknown, but one indication that the bout could face postponement is that, the T-Mobile Arena box office is already offering refunds for already purchased tickets according to MGM Grand employees.
Word on the street has it that the rematch is more likely to be rescheduled for late September, when the controversy has run its course.. An irate Golovkin has expressed an interest in an alternative unification bout with WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs) possibly in the United Kingdom, however at such short notice and Saunders tied up into a pending bout with challenger Martin Murray, it is highly unlikely.. Golovkin does still wish to be active in the meantime, with many potential targets being muted, Demetrius Andrade and Spike O’Sullivan are the two aforementioned. O’Sullivan being scheduled to appear on the eve of the GGG v Alvarez rematch on an ESPN card in Las Vegas, would be a natural replacement.
As of today, nothing is set in stone and is purely speculative, more news will be updated as we hear..

NABF 50 year anniversary convention, set for Reno Nv.

The NABF (North American Boxing Federation) will celebrate its golden (half century) anniversary Convention in the self proclaimed ‘Biggest little city in the world’ Reno, Nevada this coming August. The dates pencilled in are the 1st until the 5th, with prominent Resorts, Circus Circus, Eldorado and the Silver Legacy hosting the popular event with accommodation readily available for travelling attendees.. All three host hotels are inter connected and can be moved between without setting foot outside either property, perfect for such an event.. Interested parties can find details at the NABF website at nabfnews.com for pricing and further information. The extensive detailed convention agenda will be released soon.

Haymon sets April 28th PBC, Tv card in El Paso Tx.

Al Haymons Premier Boxing Champions has announced an April 28 live Tv date on FOX and FOX Deportes from the Don Haskins Center in, Texas.
In the feature attraction, Josesito Lopez will take on prospect Miguel Cruz in a 10-round welterweight bout. Former super middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell takes on El Paso’s Abraham Han in a 10-rounder at 168.. The evening will also feature undefeated featherweight Jorge Lara in a ten round attraction against rugged Dominican, Claudio Marrero in the opening bout of the night.

Sensational Whyte sends message to Wilder with 6th round knockout of Browne.

At the O2 Arena in London tonight, once beaten heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte 22-1 (17 Ko’s) scored the most impressive win of his career on paper with a clinical knockout of the previously unbeaten former WBA champion Lucas Browne 25-0 (22 Ko’s) in Six well controlled rounds.. The 38 year old Browne, managed and promoted by Ricky Hatton made no bones about his intentions leading up to this bout, but from the first bell, it was evident that the visitor lacked any sign of a game plan.. Whyte, diligently prepared on the other hand entered the bout leaving no stone unturned.. Controlling the tempo of the fight behind the jab, the Brixton man never allowed Browne even the slightest opportunity to set up a single right hand.. Browne picked up a tiny cut around the left eye, possibly from a tame looking clash of heads in the opening minute.. Whyte continued the steady pressure into the second, landing stinging jabs at will and even rolling the dice with some crafty body shots on the inside.. By round 3 Lucas looked desperate, the usually dangerous right hand had been reduced to almost pawing, even turning southpaw to find an answer to Whyte’s continual onslaught.. It became apparent in the fourth and fifth that Dillian wasn’t going to be satisfied with an average performance, and began digging his heels in with more spiteful shots, even standing dangerously in range to get purchase against the now pedestrian Browne, now masked in blood, from both the eye and a nose injury.. Surprised that his corner actually allowed Lucas to continue, it was now painfully evident that the writing was on the wall, and at the half minute mark of the sixth, a huge clubbing right hand followed by an quick left hook saw Dillian do what 25 opponents previously couldn’t, and that was not only beat Lucas but to knock him out cold.. With referee Ian John Lewis calling off the action immediately, administering the stricken fighter with oxygen as a precaution.. It does look like the end for Lucas Browne, yet in contrast appears more like the start of bigger things for Whyte, who retains his WBC silver title and more importantly inserts himself as the number one mandatory challenger for Deontay Wilder.

Olympian Joyce dispatches Big Nasty Palmer in 38 seconds.

At the York Hall in Bethnal Green last Saturday, Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce made his third pro outing in a five month fast track schedule under the tutelage of David Hayes Hayemaker promotions.. The desired opponent was supposed to be Derrick Chisora, who’s handshake agreement a month ago proved as substantial as the eventual opponents resilience.. Boston Massachusetts Donnie Palmer 9-1-1 (8 Ko’s) stepped to the plate, after personally contacting Hayemaker, pursuing the match.. Haye and Joyce agreed terms and the substantially built 290 pounder appeared to be exactly what Joyce required at this stage of his career.. Palmer, known as ‘The Big Nasty’ had knocked out 8 of his 9 victims and at 6 feet 10 inches, entered the fight in the rare position of looking down at the usually towering figure of Joyce. Palmer talked himself into the fight having spent considerable time in camp with credible names like Dillian Whyte, Simon Kean and Wladimir Klitschko, leaving the prospect of an Olympic silver medalist in the opposing corner a hardly overwhelming task.
Joyce 2-0 (2 Ko’s) appeared patiently composed from the off, prodding at his mountainous opponent for openings.. Palmer appearing predictable and ponderous made the mistake of standing in front of Joyce and at the half minute mark, walked onto a long right hand which landed perfectly upside the Americans head.. Palmer crumpled to the canvas and couldn’t recover.. Referee Jeff Hinds stopping the bout at a disappointing .38 of the opener... Joyce is streets ahead of this type of opponent and even though his initiative landed him the bout, Palmer was in shockingly too deep.. Chisora has been offered a substantial financial package by Hayemaker, amounting to more than Chisora’s last two purses combined, leaving the ball firmly in the Finchley mans court... Joe is scheduled to appear next on the Haye v Bellew 2 card at the O2 on May 5th.. The opponent is still undisclosed with Chisora as a possibility.

Deontay Wilder survives scare to stop brave Ortiz in 10.

WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) made a 7th consecutive defence of his title with a sensational 10th round KO over the undefeated Cuban Luis Ortiz (28-1, 24 KOs) last night at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The crafty southpaw made an organised start, outboxing the cautious Wilder and dictating the tempo of the first four rounds.. At a point in the fight where a breakthrough was needed, Wilder found one, staggering the stubborn Cuban before dropping him momentarily with right hands in the final moments of the fifth..
Ortiz recovered and maintained his composure quickly, even adopting a confident swagger whilst reclaiming the tempo of the action.. Round 7 would see a twist, whilst attempting to detonate a looping right, Wilder was clipped by a fast counter right hand from Ortiz, dazing the Champion, the challenger lunged in an attempt to seize his opportunity but was tied up by the obviously troubled Wilder. Ortiz landed several more damaging shots towards the end of the session, but Wilder was conscious enough to ride the storm.. curiously the ringside doctor took the time at the beginning of the eighth round to shine a light into the champions eyes following the visibly damaging round.. Wilder still appeared to be on unsteady legs through the eighth but showed savvy and guile to offset the pursuing Ortiz, who was for the first time looking fatigued.. At the beginning of the ninth Wilder looked completely revived and for the first time closing the gap between the fighters, measuring Ortiz with snapping jabs and crisp right hands in a remarkable comeback round.. The tenth was the spectacular closer, Wilder began to measure the now pedestrian Challenger, luring him into range. Almost at the halfway mark of the round Wilder turned Ortiz onto a short right that bothered the Cuban, snatching at the opportunity Wilder jumped on Ortiz almost hustling him to the canvas. The referee signalled no knockdown, but Ortiz was shaken... Continuing the momentum Wilder pursued his damaged adversary who defiantly opted to trade, with negative consequences, Wilders volume and accuracy again scoring a knockdown, this time a significant one, with Ortiz flustered and demoralised.. Barely able to control his senses the brave challenger climbed to his feet, only to be met by a relentless onslaught, concluding with a savage right uppercut at the 2.05 point which saw Ortiz challenge brought to an end.

The fight was one of the most captivating heavyweight title fights I’ve seen in recent years, both men enjoying success in a too and fro action packed battle..
Wilder, gracious in victory offered great praise towards his gallant opponent, calling Ortiz the craftiest most deserving challenger around, much avoided for that precise reason.. When asked about whether he’d prefer to fight Joshua now or take an interim fight, as Joshua had indicated in doing, Wilder replied.. “I’m ready right now, I’ve always said that I want to unify the division, and once I’ve done that I can move on and let someone else enjoy these titles.”

A reflective Ortiz appeared disappointed yet melancholy following with his brave showing, “There was nothing he brought that we didn’t expect, I just didn’t seize my opportunity in the 7th and 8th rounds, Wilder is a good champion.”

Kell Brook returns with a bang at light middleweight.

Former IBF welterweight champ Kell Brook (37-2, 26 KOs) put paid to Siarhei Rabchenko (29-3, 22 KOs) in the second round to pick up the WBC silver title in his light middleweight debut tonight at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. Brook repeatedly hurt Rabchanko throughout the opener before landing a right hand midway through the second, dropping Rabchanko, forcing the referee to call a halt.

In an unlikely clash between the brothers of current WBA world champions, super bantamweight Gavin McDonnell (19-1-2, 5 KOs) scored an impressive unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated Gamal Yafai (14-1, 7 KOs) to grab the WBC international title. Scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 117-113. Gavin is the brother of WBA regular bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell, whilst Gamal is the brother of WBA super flyweight champion Khalid Yafai. Yafai entered this bout incidentally as the favourite, yet it was evident during the second half of the fight, that he has a lot of areas to polish up on if he is to compete at the highest level.. McDonnell showed class, patience and maturity and appears to look like a man at the top of his game.

Heartbreak for Dave Allen, accidental cut forces Tech draw.

In an unfortunate ending for both fighters, David Allen’s second attempt at the commonwealth heavyweight title in a rematch with Lenroy Thomas was prematurely halted towards the end of the opening round following an accidental head clash.. Allen 12-3 (9 Ko’s) sustained a terrible cut along the top and around the edge of his right eye and was prevented from continuing by ringside officials due to the severity.. Thomas 22-4 (10 Ko’s) appeared to initiate the head clash by popping up in close quarters.. The bout was officially announced as a technical draw with Lenroy retaining his title.. Its a heartbreaker for Allen who viewed this fight as a calculated risk towards a road back to bigger fights. Its likely that a third match will materialise down the line due to the unsatisfactory ending, although Allen’s cut will more than likely need several months to heal..

Undercard weights from Brooklyn.

Undercard weights from Barclays centre.

WBA Female Super Middleweight title
Alicia Napoleon      158lbs
Femke Hermans      159lbs

Chordale Booker        157lbs
Emmanuel Sanchez    161lbs

Willie Monroe       163lbs
Carlos Galvan       163lbs

Kenny Robles       139lbs
Javier Martinez     139lbs

Patrick Day       153lbs
Kyrone Davis    153lbs

Richardson Hitchins    141lbs
Charles Stanford          141lbs

Sergey Derevyanchenko   164lbs
Dashon Johnson                164lbs

Gary Russell           138lbs
Keasen Freeman     139lbs

Heavyweight Charles Martin pulled from card.

Weights from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

DiBella Entertainment, Weigh in details from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Main Event.
WBC world heavyweight championship.

Champion, Deontay Wilder 214lbs
Challenger, Luis Ortiz 241lbs

Co-Main Event.
IBF interim World SuperMiddleweight championship.

Champion, Andre Dirrell 167lbs
Challenger, Jose Uzcategui 166lbs

Plus full undercard weights to be posted later

Broadcast by Showtime in the US and RPC Channel 4 in Panama.

Former IBF Champion Charles Martin returns Saturday in Brooklyn.

Former IBF heavyweight champion Prince Charles Martin 25-1-1 (23 Ko’s) makes a low profile return on Saturday night when he makes an appearance on the Wilder v Ortiz card in Brooklyn.. Martin has only fought twice since his 2016 title loss to Anthony Joshua, stopping overmatched Mike Marrone and Byron Polley in 2 rounds and 1 round respectively back in mid 2017.. The knockout loss to Joshua remains Martins sole defeat inside the ring, an immediate ring return would be delayed three months later when the former champion was shot in the forearm in a 5am altercation in downtown Los Angeles.. Charles is a hard punching 6 foot 5 southpaw who could prove a real handful for anyone in the division on a good night. Unfortunately Martin appears to lack self control regarding his personal life, almost publicly self destructing on social media in the months following his 2016 title loss... Martin became champion as a result of former unified champion Tyson Fury being stripped for not facing IBF number 1 contender Vyacheslav Glazkov at the end of 2015.. Martin emerged IBF champion when Glazkov suffered a debilitating knee injury during the third round of their bout for the vacant crown.. No opponent for Saturday has yet been announced.