The BoxRec summer interviews - Martin Power

The next BoxRec forum family member to go under the spotlight is former British bantamweight champion Martin 'Too Much' Power.  The St Pancras man posts under the name 'Londonirish' and is greatly admired by his fellow forum users, most recently for his incredible courage shown in a losing challenge to regain his belt from current champ Stuey Hall.

What has been the highlight of your career this season?

Getting the call from Frank Maloney asking if I'd like to fight for the British bantamweight title. Although my plan was to go down to super-fly this was an opportunity I couldn't turn down as I could have got the Lonsdale Belt outright.

Any low points?

Being stopped in that fight.  I knew it was going to be a fast start by Hall, everything was going the way we (myself and trainer CJ) thought, I was looking to take him into the later rounds that he ain't been before.  But as you know, the ref stopped it at the end of the tenth which in my opinion was an unfair stoppage.  I wasn't down at all and Hall didn't throw 12 punches without me answering. I feel I was staying the same maybe getting a bit stronger and Hall was definitely weakening.  Anything could have happened in the last two rounds.  I could have put him over for a 10-8 round, I could have knocked him out, I could have been knocked out...but at least that way I would have known I went in there and give it my all having nothing left in the tank.

What do you realistically aim to achieve in the next year?

Step down to super-flyweight and win some titles there.

Who would you most like to fight next season and why?

Lee Haskins.  I've nothing against him at all, he's the champion at the weight I'm moving to.

Is there anything you plan to focus on in training after the summer?

Depending on which boxer I'm up against, I will work on things around their style.

Who do you view (other than yourself!) as the best British boxer in your division?

Jamie McDonnell.  After him, it would have to be Hall at the moment, but I'm looking forward to seeing him and (Gary) Davis who is also big at the weight and has done the 12 rounds, should be interesting.  Lee Haskins at super-fly.

Outside of your division, name one current British boxer you hold in high regard and explain why you rate them.

Jason Booth.  He's done himself proud from where he was to where he is now.

What rule change(s), if any, would you like the BBBofC to introduce?

I think some of the scoring has been a joke, but each person is entitled to the own opinon so not mcuh could be done about that.

Are you a fan of Prizefighter or not?  Either way, how would you improve it?

I think it's great! Three-threes, you ain't got time to have a boring fight! Even if it is, it's over quick. I'd make the reserves fight each other before the doors open.The winner would be the first to fight, no more flick of a coin.

Why do you post on the BoxRec forum?

I used to only look.  I enjoy it seeing other people's views etc.

If you could name one BoxRec poster you would like to share a ring with, who would it be and why?

MPG again but this time it might have to be a sumo ring lol (only kidding cuz).  We use to have some great spars people would come in to watch, got told by a lot it was better then some of the fights they had seen. There ain't anyone really.