BoxRec

I've only seen his fight against Glazkov.

I KNOW he's fought garbage (Hello - todays heavyweights).

I REALLY liked his interview after the 'win' against Glazkov as he was very nice under some serious bollocks from the commentator.

But has anyone seen him fight enough to think he's shite? Has he been down? He obviously has lower level power - as does Joshua.

But is he good, average or cack?

He definitely deserves respect for going to the UK for his first defence.

He's confident, has a good jab, not the best head movement. At the moment I'd say its a 50/50 fight.

He's more of a natural fighter than AJ. His punches are loose and fast and good variety. He's a big lad and I would not be surprised to see him knock out AJ.

One of those guys who looks crap at times but is actually effective. Like Froch. Froch looks crap and has rubbish technique when he throws combinations but because of his granite nose he takes punches until uou ate tired then wins. CM is better than he looks.

SMALL AXE1 wrote:He's more of a natural fighter than AJ. His punches are loose and fast and good variety. He's a big lad and I would not be surprised to see him knock out AJ.

Not sure if he's more of a natural fighter than AJ tbh. AJ took up the game late and can definitely scrap. To achieve what he has in a relatively short space of time indicates the amount of natural ability AJ possesses. Some folk think of AJ as some manufactured fighter but he's a lot more than that IMO. He's without a doubt had a head start in the pro ranks due to his Olympic gold (which he was lucky to win) but the guy works hard, listens and is improving. Martin is quite loose and relaxed looking but I don't think he's faster than AJ. He has the power to end things that's for sure but that is the case with most guys at heavy. I think AJ will take him out inside 2 or 3. Looking forward to this one though. It's a step in the right direction for AJ and the IBF trinket is just a bonus (everyone knows who the proper champ is).

Taansend wrote:I've only seen his fight against Glazkov.

I KNOW he's fought garbage (Hello - todays heavyweights).

I REALLY liked his interview after the 'win' against Glazkov as he was very nice under some serious bollocks from the commentator.

But has anyone seen him fight enough to think he's shite? Has he been down? He obviously has lower level power - as does Joshua.

But is he good, average or cack?

He definitely deserves respect for going to the UK for his first defence.

There's a good few bits n pieces on YouTube mate. He's fundamentally sound (for a heavyweight) but bang average if u ask me. He has plenty raw power but isn't the quickest. He looks quite a solid unit so AJ will have to be patient and try not to get caught up in the moment and box his way in at first. Once he finds a way in and unloads it'll be game over. I'll be having a bet on round 3 I think. I'll probably change my mind nearer the time when I've seen them face to face and heard them speak etc.....

Looks average to me. Tall southpaw with a decent-ish jab, but pulls his left hand away from his chin when he throws the jab, leaving him open for the straight right. His power looks a little over rated too, he seems to slap with a lot of his shots and his KO wins have all come against exceptionally weak opposition (Martin's opposition makes Joshua's record look likens murderers row).

Joshua has plenty of flaws himself, but I think he will have too much for Martin.

keirw wrote:Looks average to me. Tall southpaw with a decent-ish jab, but pulls his left hand away from his chin when he throws the jab, leaving him open for the straight right. His power looks a little over rated too, he seems to slap with a lot of his shots and his KO wins have all come against exceptionally weak opposition (Martin's opposition makes Joshua's record look likens murderers row).

Joshua has plenty of flaws himself, but I think he will have too much for Martin.

He seems to really fling the overhand left from a long way back, almost off-balance. Wide open for the counter if Joshua is quick enough.

On the other hand, Whyte showed that if you are brave enough to throw back when Joshua is unloading, he can be hurt.

If I were in Joshua's camp I'd be calling every tall southpaw I could find and bring them over for sparring

Looks weird to me. Stands very tall with his hands very low, his feet close together and throws arm punches. Obviously has heavy hands but doesn't seem to have anything like Joshua's speed and explosiveness.

[quote="keirw"]Looks average to me. Tall southpaw with a decent-ish jab, but pulls his left hand away from his chin when he throws the jab, leaving him open for the straight right. His power looks a little over rated too, he seems to slap with a lot of his shots and his KO wins have all come against exceptionally weak opposition (Martin's opposition makes Joshua's record look likens murderers row).

Joshua has plenty of flaws himself, but I think he will have too much for Martin.[/quote

Pretty much this in a nutshell. From what I've seen AJ is looking more and more like another Frank Bruno, which is not a bad thing as Frank had a good career, won a world title and IMO would have been very well placed as a 26 year old today looking at the division imparcially.

To me Martin looks bang average, a big guy with a solid jab and a decent whack but slow and open to counters without much of a technique

Stuarty30 wrote:

SMALL AXE1 wrote:He's more of a natural fighter than AJ. His punches are loose and fast and good variety. He's a big lad and I would not be surprised to see him knock out AJ.

Not sure if he's more of a natural fighter than AJ tbh. AJ took up the game late and can definitely scrap. To achieve what he has in a relatively short space of time indicates the amount of natural ability AJ possesses.

Hello Stu,

Apparently Martin didn't take up boxing until he was 22. The same age that Joshua was when he won Olympic Gold.

Taansend wrote:

Stuarty30 wrote:

SMALL AXE1 wrote:He's more of a natural fighter than AJ. His punches are loose and fast and good variety. He's a big lad and I would not be surprised to see him knock out AJ.

Not sure if he's more of a natural fighter than AJ tbh. AJ took up the game late and can definitely scrap. To achieve what he has in a relatively short space of time indicates the amount of natural ability AJ possesses.

Hello Stu,

Apparently Martin didn't take up boxing until he was 22. The same age that Joshua was when he won Olympic Gold.

Didn't know that mate. That would explain some of his flaws but impressive record and achievements if that is the case. Still think AJ deals with him handily. How do you see it going?

Stuarty30 wrote: Didn't know that mate. That would explain some of his flaws but impressive record and achievements if that is the case. Still think AJ deals with him handily. How do you see it going?

I honestly don't have a clue, mate. No idea how good/bad either fighter is. AJ obviously favourite. I can't wait. I just hope there's somewhere in the Tampa Bay area I can watch rather than at home.

fizzjambo wrote:

keirw wrote:Looks average to me. Tall southpaw with a decent-ish jab, but pulls his left hand away from his chin when he throws the jab, leaving him open for the straight right. His power looks a little over rated too, he seems to slap with a lot of his shots and his KO wins have all come against exceptionally weak opposition (Martin's opposition makes Joshua's record look likens murderers row).

Joshua has plenty of flaws himself, but I think he will have too much for Martin.[/quote

Pretty much this in a nutshell. From what I've seen AJ is looking more and more like another Frank Bruno, which is not a bad thing as Frank had a good career, won a world title and IMO would have been very well placed as a 26 year old today looking at the division imparcially.

To me Martin looks bang average, a big guy with a solid jab and a decent whack but slow and open to counters without much of a technique

Agree on all accounts. Seems to hang his chin in the air and pull his head back from punches. Absolutely tailor made for Joshua's straight right.

Also has one of the worst lead right hooks I've ever seen.

SMALL AXE1 wrote:One of those guys who looks crap at times but is actually effective. Like Froch. Froch looks crap and has rubbish technique when he throws combinations but because of his granite nose he takes punches until uou ate tired then wins. CM is better than he looks.

Froch never looked THAT bad!! The guy was a top notch amateur, there's no way that you can be that and fight like CJ does.

Dixonian wrote:

fizzjambo wrote:

keirw wrote:Looks average to me. Tall southpaw with a decent-ish jab, but pulls his left hand away from his chin when he throws the jab, leaving him open for the straight right. His power looks a little over rated too, he seems to slap with a lot of his shots and his KO wins have all come against exceptionally weak opposition (Martin's opposition makes Joshua's record look likens murderers row).

Joshua has plenty of flaws himself, but I think he will have too much for Martin.[/quote

Pretty much this in a nutshell. From what I've seen AJ is looking more and more like another Frank Bruno, which is not a bad thing as Frank had a good career, won a world title and IMO would have been very well placed as a 26 year old today looking at the division imparcially.

To me Martin looks bang average, a big guy with a solid jab and a decent whack but slow and open to counters without much of a technique

Agree on all accounts. Seems to hang his chin in the air and pull his head back from punches. Absolutely tailor made for Joshua's straight right.

Also has one of the worst lead right hooks I've ever seen.

Sounds like an early bath if that's how he fights.

Stuarty30 wrote:

SMALL AXE1 wrote:He's more of a natural fighter than AJ. His punches are loose and fast and good variety. He's a big lad and I would not be surprised to see him knock out AJ.

Not sure if he's more of a natural fighter than AJ tbh. AJ took up the game late and can definitely scrap. To achieve what he has in a relatively short space of time indicates the amount of natural ability AJ possesses. Some folk think of AJ as some manufactured fighter but he's a lot more than that IMO. He's without a doubt had a head start in the pro ranks due to his Olympic gold (which he was lucky to win) but the guy works hard, listens and is improving. Martin is quite loose and relaxed looking but I don't think he's faster than AJ. He has the power to end things that's for sure but that is the case with most guys at heavy. I think AJ will take him out inside 2 or 3. Looking forward to this one though. It's a step in the right direction for AJ and the IBF trinket is just a bonus (everyone knows who the proper champ is).

Martin took up boxing late aswell. He had barely any amateur fights aswell.

Accident waiting to happen. The team know anyone could knock him off. The rule is, if you are going to lose, may as well make sure you are paid bloody well for it. I suspect this was the biggest payday available for a first defence, which he is always likely to lose. Better to get trounced for a million or two than a hundred grand.

I just hope you lot are right and Joshua comes through

The bits I've seen on YouTube and TBH there aren't many, he looks pretty decent with good power, obviously the guys he's been stopping are nowhere near AJ's level though.