Martin Lindsay back on the title trail...but he's getting married first
Former British featherweight title holder Martin Lindsay has not completely fallen off the radar but the 29-year-old did not feature on last night' big Belfast bill nor will he be in action on the Fury undercard next week - because he is busy getting married.
“I was tempted to fight on one of the bills that are going on at the moment but my missus wouldn’t let me!” Lindsay chuckled.
“If I got 10 weeks’ preparation time then I’d actually take a title shot without a warm up. Throughout my career I’ve been fighting every six-eight months and when I train I train hard and make sure that I’m ready for a 12-round fight.”
Martin is no longer contractually obliged to promoter Frank Maloney but insists that he is prepared to work with whichever promotional outfit can best match his ambitions. Injury and inactivity have stifled his progress of late, but a fight before Christmas could push him back into the title picture.
“I was going to fight in March but I injured my ankle, which put me out of action for a few weeks. Frank Maloney offered me a fight in June but we couldn’t agree terms and I’m getting married shortly so once the wedding and honeymoon are out of the way I’ll get my head down and hopefully get a fight towards the end of the year.
“My options are open, I’m not finished, as such, with Maloney and offers are on the table. I’m a free agent, so I can fight on any bill and that suits me. I’m a good ticket seller so I’m sure anyone would jump at the chance to stick me on.”
Lindsay was present at the Balmoral Hotel last week to witness Martin Rogan’s latest ring venture and the ‘Mac Man’ is hoping that Belfast will get the boxing buzz back.
“Rogan’s fight is interesting and will generate a buzz,” reckoned the Immaculata man. “If he can get some young talent on the bill then it means they don’t have to travel across the water to build up their records. Most of my fights were anywhere else bar Belfast. The October 27 show is a possibility for me but it’s not ideal preparation time with only being back from my honeymoon. I’m coming off a loss and 10 months out of the ring so if I got the right fight in October then I’d consider it; something to brush off the cob webs perhaps.”
Martin suffered his first professional defeat in 18 contests, last December in the King’s Hall, when plucky Scot John Simpson finally hit the scorecard jackpot and wrestled away Lindsay’s British crown. The west Belfast boxer is open to a rematch with Simpson but only if it makes sense for both men.
“The Simpson rematch only makes sense if there are titles on the line because then there’s money to be made,” he said. “I’d have loved to have been more active when I was champion. I held the British title for just under two years and I never got a voluntary defence and I can’t explain why. I took my number one contenders and I never got any handy touches. They were all fighters at the top of their game. You train hard and it all depends on what happens on the night – but that’s boxing for you. I only had one defeat and it was on points over 12 rounds against a good fighter.”
The night Lindsay won that British title was a raucous –and sometimes volatile- affair in the Ulster Hall when Paul Appleby succumbed after six rounds of toe-to-toe action. Martin had earned that chance with a come-from-behind knockout win of Derry Mathews. A successful defence over Jamie Arthur in Leigh, nestled in between lengthy gaps outside of the ring, led to the Simpson fight and prior to that matchup Frank Maloney was discussing possible European and world title opportunities. Lindsay believes that he can still aspire to that level.
“I want to redeem myself and there’s plenty more that I have to offer. I’m still number six in the EBU ratings and highly ranked by other organisations. One more win and I’m right back up there.”
