Charles Martin Says Anthony Joshua Fight Is The Start Of His Rise To Boxing Greatness

Charles Martin has revealed he wants to go down as the greatest southpaw in history ahead of facing Anthony Joshua live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Martin will hear the opening bell at The O2 as the underdog despite entering the ring as the IBF heavyweight champion of the world.


The American is determined to silence the London fans and begin establishing himself as a pivotal figure in the sport. He said “my skills are going to prevail on April 9. I've got the skill and the will to win. I'm the best champion. I'll go down in history as the best southpaw that ever put on a pair of gloves. I'm that guy and I'm going to prove it. Big shout outs to my coaches Henry Tillman and Jamal Abdullah. They look after me and keep me on the right path. We're learning how to be better, more explosive, more powerful, and with more technique, with better footwork. Every time I go in the gym, I'm going to be better than I was yesterday. It'll be the key to spark him out. We'll keep it awkward for him. I'll lay the left hands down and the right hands down. I've got TNT in both hands. He won't know whether to look out for the hook, the straight left hand or the uppercut, the crosses - I've got it all. I've got power in both hands”


The eye-catching athleticism of Joshua has seen him move smoothly from Olympic super-heavyweight champion to becoming one of the biggest names in professional boxing but with his first world title shot looming, Martin has a warning. He said “he's got big muscles and he's going to get tired. This whole camp better be him trying to lean up because with all those muscles, he'll be tired. When he's going down, I'm going up. I get stronger as the rounds go. Charles Martin doesn't get tired. Joshua is top-heavy with skinny legs. He'll get tired and then he'll make the mistake. I can go 12 rounds. I do it all the time in camp. I'm sparring with three or four guys and I'm putting them in and mixing them up. The crowd doesn't matter. I'm just focused and I'll stay focused. It's a gift I have. I don't care about what's going on around me. I'm not ashamed - I walk anywhere with my chest out and my head held up high, with confidence. I'm skilful enough and hard-hitting enough. He won't see the knockout coming. You catch them guys with the shots they don't see and that's what knocks them out. I'm a counter puncher”