One-time IBF world champion Charles Martin put up a better-than-expected showing against Jared Anderson on July 1, and now hopes that will be a springboard to bigger and better fights.
‘The Prince’ managed to wobble Anderson twice in the fight and is the first man to take The Real Big Baby the distance, though was himself put down before losing a competitive but wide points decision out in Anderson’s hometown of Toledo.
It’s the latest entry in an up-and-down record since losing his title to Anthony Joshua in two rounds back in 2016 which has included losses against Adam Kownacki and Luis Ortiz but a victory against Gerald Washington.
Speaking to BoxingScene, Martin appraised his most recent performance.
“The old me could have never fought Jared Anderson on 11 days’ notice. I have a whole different mindset now. Win, lose or draw, I just wanna fight the best and make entertaining fights. If [Deontay] Wilder and [Andy] Ruiz can’t make a deal, I’d fight either of those guys. I also heard Efe Ajagba and Lenier Pero are possibilities. If not, I’ll take on another young prospect that no one wants to fight.”
Martin says he has a new mindset now and wants to fight the best again, offering to face either Deontay Wilder or Andy Ruiz Jr if they can’t reach a deal.
“The old me could have never fought Jared Anderson on 11 days’ notice. I have a whole different mindset now. Win, lose or draw, I just wanna fight the best and make entertaining fights. If [Deontay] Wilder and [Andy] Ruiz can’t make a deal, I’d fight either of those guys. I also heard Efe Ajagba and Lenier Pero are possibilities. If not, I’ll take on another young prospect that no one wants to fight.
I don’t have any more time to waste, I wanna fight in another big fight before the end of this year. I’ve always been my own worst enemy. I’d be off six to 12 months, roll off the sofa, take a fight and train for four or five weeks. It took me a long time to realise you can’t do that and be the best. Now I live in the gym, and hopefully it showed.”
Wilder and Ruiz had looked set to face each other after the WBC ordered the fight to become mandatory for a shot at Tyson Fury’s belt, but negotiations became public and the teams seem to be as far away as ever from reaching an agreement.