Charles Martin Potential IBF Eliminator

[KiwiRider]

After his win against Washington, Charles Martin is looking for an eliminator bout to secure a chance at AJ (assuming he beats Pulev)with that mandatory due around the middle of next year.
Who do you think he will face?
Who would you like him to face?
And, how will he fare?
Martin has shown gradual improvement since he was dusted by AJ in quick fashion. Can he get another shot?

[oogiebe]

Sure he can. AJ has back to back mandos coming off two fights vs Ruiz. AJ at that point would have earned a 'breather' fight.

[joshj909]

Using the rankings as a starting point you'd think it would be Kabayel (I'd he can stay busier), Helenius, Ruiz (though he already seems to be a target for some top level fighters), Hunter, Hrgovic...

It's also worth noting that the mandatory probably won't be until the Autumn 2021 or later depending on what happens in the mean time. There's alot of time for high ranked guys to lose or lower ranked guys to jump up the rankings.

My guess would be Hunter or Hrgovic due to the matchroom matchmaking. I think they both beat Martin but lose to AJ (not onesided). I'd be happy with the matchups though.

Champ: Anthony Joshua
1. Kubrat Pulev
2. Charles Martin
3. Agit Kabayel
4. Oleksandr Usyk
5. Andy Ruiz
6. Robert Helenius
7. Michael Hunter
8. Filip Hrgovic
9. Joseph Parker
10. Derek Chisora
11. Tom Schwarz
12. Tony Yoka
13. Zhang Zhilei
14. Demsey McKean
15. Otto Wallin

[Finkel]

Yeah, middle of 2021 is wishful thinking.
WBA will be due before the IBF.
Plus surely we will get the undisputed fight before then.


This is off-topic, but does anyone know why Dominic Breazeale is suspended indefinitely by the New York State Athletic Commission?!

[keirw]

The rematch everyone wants to see eh?

I think not.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy Martin has turned his life around.

But he loses to everyone in the IBF top ten, except maybe Helenius, who probably won't be there for long.

[candyslim]

I've always liked Charles Martin and was very pleased to see him back after his layoff. I always said he could be in some good fights and so far he hasn't disappointed. He can be in plenty more too but I have no desire to see a rematch with Joshua.

At the same time it would be wrong to deny him a shot if it gets to the stage whre he's earned it. Hopefully if he does get another title shot it'll be for the undisputed hwt c o t w.

[DrDuke]

Martin should fight Helenius right now. The best option for them both considering the recent parts of their resumes.

[Woodster23]

Yes, I, like most other people, do not have a hankering to see a rematch between Charles Martin and AJ. Fair play to him for managing to somehow get himself back up to number two in the IBF rankings, but I'm not sure he gets passed many in that top 10.

[Enlightened-One]

By the time AJ faces Kubrat Pulev in June, 32 months would have transpired since he last performed a mandatory defence of his IBF title.

People are being seriously optimistic if they feel that Anthony Joshua would be compelled to perform another defence of his IBF strap during 2021, because it’s more likely to be the tail end of 2022 or even early 2023.

[candyslim]

Yes, I, like most other people, do not have a hankering to see a rematch between Charles Martin and AJ. Fair play to him for managing to somehow get himself back up to number two in the IBF rankings, but I'm not sure he gets passed many in that top 10.

More in their top ten than our top ten i'd happily wager.

[jewboypgh]

Am i losing it or didnt Martin get smoked by AJ already??

[KiwiRider]

Am i losing it or didnt Martin get smoked by AJ already??

I mentioned it in my opening post.
Smoked?
Yeah, I used "Dusted in quick fashion"
But hey, if Charles Martin fights a proper eliminator, then he deserves it as much as Pulev.
Thing is, and the reason for starting this thread with all the questions, is the IBF current rankings will be all over the place if Pulev loses and Usyk fights AJ on another Org mandatory.
It really only leaves Agit as a top #5 contender.

[candyslim]

Am i losing it or didnt Martin get smoked by AJ already??

That's Why nobody really wants to see it again whether he's earned it or not. There's plenty of fighters I'd be pleased to see in the ring with Charles Martin. Joshua is not one of them.

[KiwiRider]

Am i losing it or didnt Martin get smoked by AJ already??

That's Why nobody really wants to see it again whether he's earned it or not. There's plenty of fighters I'd be pleased to see in the ring with Charles Martin. Joshua is not one of them.

Hang on Slim.
If Charles, or anyone else for that matter, earns and wins a mandatory, who are we to knock it?
Better than that Stiverne followed by Brazeale " mandatory" crap.

[joshj909]

That's Why nobody really wants to see it again whether he's earned it or not. There's plenty of fighters I'd be pleased to see in the ring with Charles Martin. Joshua is not one of them.

Hang on Slim.
If Charles, or anyone else for that matter, earns and wins a mandatory, who are we to knock it?
Better than that Stiverne followed by Brazeale " mandatory" crap.

Agreed. If Martin beats anyone in the IBF top 10, barring maybe Helenius, then I don't see how anyone can argue against him getting a shot.

[candyslim]

Sure thing. Far be it for me to try to deny any man an opportunity he's worked hard for, Sulaiman is not my name.

I don't have to relish the prospect though do I ?

[margaret thatcher]

Chuck would beat Dom and Helly

[candyslim]

I don't necessarily disagree but I would love to watch your theories being tested.

It takes a real gambling man to put money on Helenius to win or lose against 10 - 25 level opposition. Too reckless for yours truly.

[KiwiRider]

Sure thing. Far be it for me to try to deny any man an opportunity he's worked hard for, Sulaiman is not my name.

I don't have to relish the prospect though do I ?

Well, not pay for it anyhow
Charles Martin was an utter dipstick leading up to the first fight, now he has had the 'umble smashed into him, he is a lot more tolerable these days, and from what I have seen, a little improved

[candyslim]

That's a fair assessment. He's unlikely to get too close to a strap again, but he's still a welcome addition to the scene. The sport needs plenty of fighters who are good, but not quite good enough, in order to provide depth.

[Cyclops]

Let him get a win inside the top ten first. I personally find him a difficult watch. I don't think his heart is really in it and it shows.