Former IBF heavyweight champion, Charles Martin has told Sky Sports of his desire to face Dillian Whyte. The Brit plans to fight in the States soon in order to get more acquainted with American audiences.
Martin said to Sky Sports:
“Joshua never fought the real me. Taking that fight when I was hurt and unprepared is the biggest mistake of my life, but it’s a mistake I’m gonna correct before I retire.
“It’s the only reason I’m still fighting.
“Knocking out Dillian Whyte would put me one step closer to Joshua.
“Fury vs Wilder III is happening and then maybe a couple of fights between that winner and Joshua, so while I’m waiting I want to fight the best available, and I want to welcome Dillian Whyte to the United States with another knockout loss.
“Whyte is an easy fight. He takes too many clean punches.”
Since the Joshua defeat, Martin has restored his reputation with a string of victories, including an explosive one-punch knockout of Gerald Washington on the Wilder vs Fury II bill last February.
“Unfortunately, Eddie Hearn don’t want nothing to do with me beating his man,” said Martin.
“Whyte said he wanted an easy fight after getting his clock cleaned by Povetkin. I guess he don’t want to get get his clock cleaned again if he fights me.
“I’m going to get back in the ring soon. We have something lined up, but once I heard Whyte was coming to the US, I can’t resist wanting to make that fight. Whyte ain’t s**t. That fight would be a piece of cake for me in the US.
“I’ve got a great home with PBC and Al Haymon has been the best thing to happen to my career. The pandemic slowed us down a little but with my manager Mike Borao we are getting back on course and will end 2021 on a high note.”
While there are certain aspects about Dillian Whyte’s personal overall attitude that I have reservations about, the one thing that the Jamaican Brit has never shied away from is a challenge if we look at this objectively.
Charles Martin was defeated by Poland’s Adam Kownacki in 2018 and three fights removed from his loss to Anthony Joshua in 2016. He has won three in a row but one of them victories was a disqualification win over Gregory Corbin after Martin received four low blows. Charles last saw his hand raised in February, 2020 after beating Gerald Washington.
It is clear to see why the Californian resident wants to face Whyte. He is ranked 14 by the WBC. And a win over Whyte would easily elevate his ranking by that organisation.
However, Dillian has clearly expressed interest in either boxing Deontay Wilder or Andy Ruiz Jr. With Wilder now fighting Tyson Fury in a rubber match on July 24th, that leaves Ruiz Jr as a potential candidate. Ruiz is ranked number 3 by the WBC and the WBA. And I think he would be a much more credible choice of opponent than Charles Martin at this stage.
