I’M FEELING KNOCKOUT
BoxerTaylor in great shape as he prepares for ring return
Livingston boxer Martin Taylor says he’s determined to make the most of his ‘final shot’ as he makes his comeback next month.
The veteran admits he’s approaching the end of his pro career but wanted to leave the sport knowing he had given everything.
Martin last fought in June 2019 when he suffered the first defeat of his career to Ahmed Mweva in a bout for the Scottish super lightweight belt.
An anticipated rematch didn’t materialise before lockdown robbed him of almost two years.
He admits it would have been easy to hang up the gloves at that point but didn’t want to be left wondering what could have been had he not made his return to the ring.
Speaking to the Courier, he said: “I wanted to give it one last shot. This will be the final stage of my career and I didn’t want to leave anything out there or look back on things a few years down the line and wonder if I could have done anything more in my career.
“I also wanted to show my two boys, Mekhi and Blake, that if you want something and are willing to put the work in then you can make it happen. They were a huge
I knew I couldn’t walk away with any regrets Martin Taylor
motivation for me wanting to get back into the ring.
“It’s one fight at a time for me now and we’ll see where it takes me. If I get another title shot, that would be the dream, but I just knew I couldn’t walk away with any regrets.”
It’s been a challenging 18 months for Martin, who holds a 6-1 career record in the pro game, but the second lockdown he says was particularly tough.
He credits Craigmillar Boxing Club’s Kenny McCartney and Damian Duffin at CrossFit Bathgate with whipping him back into shape.
He said: “The first lockdown was pretty easy actually because you could go for runs and keep fit but the winter one was hard.
“It was too easy to put weight on and not think about your fitness. It was horrible weather so you couldn’t really go out for runs like you could in the summer and the gyms were closed.
“Damian let me borrow some gear from the gym. That helped me and then once everything was back open, Damian and Kenny at Craigmillar properly set about getting me in to boxing shape again and they’ve done a great job.
“It’s been a hard training camp but I’m losing the weight and feeling really good in myself and confident with where I’m at four weeks out from the fight.
“Getting back into the gym and that first sparring in the ring was a bit surreal because it had been so long but it didn’t take too much time before getting back into the old routine.”
The Livi lad also admits a huge inspiration as he prepares to get back into the ring is close friend William Green and daughter Ella.
Earlier this year, the Courier reported that William has vowed to do everything possible to help his five-year-old daughter walk.
Ella was diagnosed with arthrogryposis as a baby, a condition that means she has to use a wheelchair.
William is currently raising funds to pay for an operation abroad that could help his daughter walk.
Martin has previously helped raise awarness of
Ella’s situation by wearing the Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (AMC) charity logo on his ring gear for bouts.
He commented: “William’s a great friend of mine and Ella has a very special place in my heart.
“He’s doing everything he can to try and get his little girl to walk and they’re both hugely inspirational to me and people I think a lot about that help push me on.”
You can read more about William and Ella’s journey on their Facebook page at www. facebook/PrincessEllaAMC.