Martin ready for Taylor test after becoming wild man in California
MICHAEL GANNON
SETTING up camp high in the Californian hills is a world away from the mean streets of Tennessee.
But Ryan Martin reckons life at the Summit will take him to the top of the boxing world.
Josh Taylor isn’t just taking on one of American’s top prospects at the Hydro tomorrow night – he’s also facing one of the US’s most motivated.
Martin arrived in Glasgow this week with a beaming smile and an interesting back story.
The 25-year-old grew up in Chattanooga, was brought into boxing by is big brother and signed his first pro contract with rapper 50 Cent’s promotion team.
His path led him through 22 unbeaten fights and seen him hook up with renowned trainer Abel Sanchez and his famous base known as the Summit in the back of beyond on Big Bear Lake.
Martin has managed to avoid walking into a grizzly but has run into some big beasts of the boxing ring, with the likes of legend m.gannon@dailyrecord.co.uk Gennady Golovkin around and Tyson Fury calling the place home. He said: “I haven’t seen no bears but it’s hard training. It’s like military-style training and that’s one of the things I love – working my ass off.” Hard work is the starting point for Sanchez who has housed stars such as Terry Norris and Oscar de la Hoya in his remote retreat. The Mexican said: “The roads are narrow and it’s difficult to get to. It’s a small town and that’s the way we like it. We have a captive audience. “The fighters don’t go anywhere, they only stay and train and are dedicated. The facilities are modest, we don’t want them to get too comfortable.” That suits Martin who said: “Life’s never been easy. That’s just the way I grew up. I work hard for everything.
“I lived everywhere and grew up in various houses in Chattanooga. That’s what made me what I am today. I take the view just to enjoy life because this isn’t forever.
“It was tough as a kid but I handled it well. I look back at certain situations that happened and laugh. It was tough at times though that’s all in the past now and I’m grateful for what I’ve got.
“I have friends who went into different directions but I chose to stay on the path I’m on now. This is what I wanted.”
Martin is one of the game’s good guys but Sanchez admits he’d love his charge to be more nasty.
But the fighter said: “I don’t wish I had a meaner streak. It comes out in the ring. I’m an enjoyable person and enjoy life. I’m always happy and won’t let anyone take that away from me. I’ve always been a smiley person.
“Sometimes opponents underestimate me because of the way I am but fool them. They see me smiling and a nice guy but I’m in the sport for a reason and I’m 22-0 for a reason.
“When I hit the venue a switch is turned on then when I get into the ring another switch turns. I hear ding-ding and it’s no more Mr Nice Guy.”
Sanchez is determined to unlock the inner beast though.
He said: “When I first started working with Ryan he reminded me of Terry. He’s got all the qualities and athleticism. The only difference is something I’ve been working on – making him meaner.
“As a coach you end up being a psychologist, doctor, preacher, pastor, everything. You need to put them in situations that require them to dig deep.
“We have a lot of great fighters in our gym. We push them to the limit, that’s when they find out about themselves.
“Ryan has a lot of talent and when he puts it all together Taylor won’t be able to handle him.”
Sanchez is convinced Martin will be the next face on the walls at the Summit, starting with victory in tomorrow night’s Ali Trophy quarter-final.
He said: “You see the pictures and it inspires them, not just to replicate their achievements but to make them proud to be part of the same family.”