There were five fights nominated for Contest of the Year at the recent ‘Undisputed’ British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) Awards.
- Artur Beterbiev v Anthony Yarde
- Joe Cordina v Shavkatdzhon Rakihmov
- Leigh Wood v Josh Warrington
- Sam Gilley v Louis Greene
- Jack Martin v CJ Challenger
Every participant deserved their place, but the most captivating and intense event was undoubtedly the January 2023 world light-heavyweight title fight between Beterbiev and Yarde. This match showcased two powerful fighters and held an irresistible grip on the spectators’ attention.
Among the four remaining nominees, there were two world title fights and a Commonwealth title fight. The fourth nominee was a 10-round super-welterweight fight between Jack Martin and CJ Challenger, which took place on December 9 at Brentwood Centre in Essex.
On that very evening in San Francisco, Devin Haney effortlessly secured the WBC super-lightweight title by smoothly overcoming the challenging task of facing Regis Prograis. However, Martin and Challenger delivered an extraordinary performance that will forever be ingrained in the minds of those fortunate enough to witness it live or those who have viewed it on YouTube.
A dramatic and savage encounter ended in round eight with Challenger down and unable to continue. Referee Marcus McDonnell did not need to administer a count, but the paramedics did need to tend to the beaten fighter and were quickly on the scene to provide oxygen. In the December 14 issue of Boxing News, the headline given to the fight report by Simon Euan-Smith was Barnburner!
Martin, with a record of 9 wins and 1 loss, is prepared for his upcoming bout. This time, he will face a more challenging opponent in Junaid Bostan, a promising prospect from Matchroom with a record of 8 wins and 0 losses, including 6 knockouts. Although Bostan is talented and looks promising, the boxing ring has a way of exposing one’s true abilities and vulnerabilities. If Bostan is not fully focused and alert from the beginning of the fight on Saturday night (April 27), Martin will utilize his strengths and make the entire match uncomfortable, painful, and demanding.
“I’m expecting him to probably box me,” Martin told BN over the phone.
I anticipate that he will rely on his sharp reflexes, quick reactions, agile footwork, and smooth movements to engage in a strategic boxing match with me for the duration of 10 rounds.
I believe he hasn’t encountered someone like me before. I am a gritty and prepared fighter. My recent battles have been considered contenders for Fight of the Year. It is widely known that I am relentless and constantly in his presence.
In this battle, my strategy will involve exerting continuous pressure on my opponent right from the start, aiming to gradually exhaust him. I anticipate that the fight won’t be aesthetically pleasing. To secure victory, I must master the art of clinching and employ every possible tactic to make the fight physically demanding and challenging for him.
If Martin manages to defeat Bostan and become the champion, he will be awarded a Commonwealth Silver trinket and earn a chance to compete for the English super-welterweight title, currently held by Lee ‘Chaos’ Cutler from Bournemouth. Winning this title would not only allow Martin to showcase his achievement to his supporters in Southminster but also serve as validation for the sacrifices he makes. Despite being away from his wife and 18-month-old daughter, Martin dedicates his time to working as a groundworker and training relentlessly in the gym, all with the goal of creating a better life for himself and his family.
Martin guided us through the routine of an average day in the life of the 29-year-old.
A few times a week, I wake up around 5am to go for a four or five mile run in the morning. After completing my run, I return home.
I typically depart for work at around seven in the morning. My workplace is a local building site, situated approximately 15-20 minutes away. Throughout the day, I primarily engage in digging holes and laying patios. Once I finish my work at the site and return to camp, I usually continue working until around 3:30-4pm. Afterward, I frequently make my way directly to the gym, which conveniently takes about 15 minutes to reach from the building site.
On a typical day, I spend approximately two to two and a half hours in the gym. This allows me to have ample time to return home and spend around half an hour to an hour with my little girl before her bedtime. After that, I have dinner, relax for another half an hour, and eventually head to bed. That’s how my day usually unfolds.
That has been the life of Jack Martin for years now. It is his reality; it is what he knows. Try and change that or take it away from him to free up some time would have him feeling lost. But with the addition of his little girl to the picture he admits that the combination of everything can take its toll.
“If I’m sparring, I might not get a chance to get back and see her. I’ll rush home and my wife’s already put her to bed and I’m like that’s another day I’ve missed out.
Clearly, I am unable to see her prior to leaving for work in the morning. Therefore, I am anxiously anticipating her being awake by the time I arrive home later in the day. This aspect is undeniably the most stressful part. Consequently, I have taken to leaving work an hour or two earlier when I am at the camp, enabling me to achieve a better equilibrium between work, training, and family life.
The act of plate spinning is not an exclusive tale that belongs only to Jack. It is uncertain how many individuals around the world are engaged in similar endeavors. However, Jack is finally starting to witness the rewards of his sacrifices. In March 2023, he achieved success in his second endeavor to win the Southern Area 154lbs title. His victory by points (97-93) against Shaquille Day compensated for his previous defeat (94-96) to Jordan Dujon in October 2022.
His best day beating Day and winning the Southern Area delivered on Martin’s expectations when he turned professional at 25. His training team, including his dad, moved from the amateurs to the pros with him at the same time. Martin realised his fighting style needed to move to a different code. Fighting every other week while making the traditional sacrifices needed to become worth his while.
He remarked, “I guess I’m running out of time. Approaching my thirties, I’m determined to engage in challenging battles and continuously push myself forward. Without putting myself to the test, I will never discover my true potential.”
Fighters are exceptional individuals, both in their profession and in their mindset. Their chosen line of work is far from ordinary, as there are certainly simpler ways to make money. However, what truly sets them apart is their perspective on life. Engaging in a conversation with them and delving into their thought process reveals their uniqueness. Take, for instance, Jack’s bout against CJ Challenger. Witnessing such a display of skill and determination might leave you amazed, motivated to exercise, or simply with a newfound admiration for the level of commitment they exhibit within the boxing ring.
Martin says that after the CJ fight, people were going crazy about it and initially, he couldn’t understand why.
“I remember saying to my wife, I didn’t want to sound big-headed or say it’s just another day at the office, but it is. The way I spar, the way I train, we’re always doing non-stop pad work. That is the way I train and in a way, it is another day at the office. I train for a fight like that so having a fight like that just felt like another day really.”
The West Ham United fan is aware that his devoted fanbase in Southminster will always appreciate and support him, regardless of his actions or identity. Martin considers them to be like his own extended family and struggles to express the profound impact they have on him. To show his gratitude, he has discovered an alternative way to reciprocate their support.
“He clarifies that we have a small ritual.”
I reside in a close-knit community where familiarity is the norm. Our village boasts a local pub where the owner wholeheartedly backs us and arranges transportation for all the regular patrons. My father frequents this establishment, and I make an effort to drop by whenever possible to catch up with everyone. Following the altercation, we return to the pub, which remains open to accommodate us.
Typically, I refrain from consuming excessive amounts of alcohol on such nights following a heated altercation. Instead, I enter the venue and proudly present the [Southern Area] belt, which is then displayed with my flag at the pub. We play some music, and everyone joyously engages in a lively and festive gathering, involving dancing and merrymaking.
No matter the outcome against Bostan, it’s easy to envision Martin’s beloved pub hosting another lively celebration. Over a hundred people will gather at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool to witness Martin showcase his exceptional abilities. If he triumphs against Bostan in a Matchroom event, it could be the turning point that propels his career to new heights.
“My brother used to say, ‘You’re only gonna be in the game for maybe another four or five years’. So, I need to get the most out of it and everything else comes after. Some people at weekends can’t have a weekend without having a drink. My brother has always said to me, ‘That’s always gonna be there when you retire.’ I’m trying to sacrifice it all now to see where I am in the next few years. Try and push on and change my family’s life a little bit and to make them years happier.
When people like me and CJ compete for titles such as the Commonwealth Silver or Southern Area, we give it our all. Losing such a fight means we’ll likely have to go through two or three more fights to regain that position. It’s a delicate balance we walk.
