Quote Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al View Post
Hey Ross we all know this belt was pulled out of the can , but how do you rate Martin ?
You think he has potential or just plain over rated ? Who do you think wins it ?
Martin may not be experienced against tough opposition but his style would be something id have avoided in a big, big punching unbeaten young fighter. Southpaw and a patient counter puncher.

If it was a Tony Thompson (southpaw) id be more willing to risk that. Its a cliche that you hear all the time about southpaws but so many times its true. Some fighters just arent able to adapt and deal with them.

Hearn will be bricking it on the night.

Joshua got the win against Whyte but be honest, looked every bit Bruno on the way to it. Stiff, slow on his feet there was at least once he tried using upper body movement but did it so poorly he almost fell over! Lets no forget this was against Whyte who is not a boxer but a brawler and had trouble taking advantage of it.

Just because Martin hasnt faced anyone doesnt mean he cant do good things against good opponents. He does have power. He ko'd Joey Dawjeko and hes a tough and surprisingly skilled heavy. You all thought Tyson Fury was going to get blasted early against Wlad but like I said, what you had been seeing against lower level fighters I knew it would translate up. Martin isnt facing a Klitschko either.

I think if Martin comes in, in good shape his boxing could be too much for Joshua. Unless they are working very hard on lossening Joshua up in sparring I struggle to see him plowing through a big southpaw. I havent followed Martins career at all but his style is dangerous for someone still learning who you have invested big in.

Like Hearn said its a risk and its only because there is a title involved that they are taking it. Martin reckons they took a little while to come back so they had to think it through and although Martin would be a good opponent even if it wasnt for a title I dont think Hearn would have chosen him if no title was involved.