Many boxing followers cannot wait to see local boxer Steve Martin back into the ring tomorrow after an absence of nearly a year and a half. Boxing in Malta has been gaining popularity in recent years. It came as no surprise when recently CEO Marc James lead the Malta Boxing Association to a successful affiliation to the European Boxing Union and the World Boxing Council. The EBU membership was granted to the Malta Boxing Association at the general assembly in Brussels in June of 2016.
Martin's most influential international boxing triumph dates back to August 22, 2014. On that memorable evening at the Hilton Malta, Steve Martin won the title of World Boxing Foundation Super Welterweight Championship beating none other than his quoted UK boxer Graham Earl.
The Malta Independent Sports team spoke to Steve ahead of his much awaited return to the ring on Saturday, September 17th in a Prize Boxing Promotions Event at Aria Complex under the auspices of the Malta Boxing Association. This time round he will be fighting Italian boxer Ricardo Pompeo Mellone, a very strong experienced boxer with over 70 amateur fights and 10 pro fights under his belt.
"I'm ready for my comeback on September 17th. Been waiting for this long time. Yes a very good Italian opponent, more experienced than me on paper, but hey what's the point taking an easy fight?!" remarked the Maltese boxer with a grin.
So how did this all start for Martin?
He reflects down on his sweaty boxing gloves during yet another intensive training bout at his "Fightfactory" gym in Marsa "My journey into the world of boxing got off when a friend of ours introduced us to Kung Fu fighting. After quite a number of months I was convinced that if I wanted to compete I had to take this seriously enough. Myself and a couple of friends of mine quit Kung Fu and went into Kickboxing. I immediately loved the sport, in particular coach Silvio Camilleri for whom I still have big respect for.
After 8 months I fought my first opponent - a blackbelt, very experienced guy. I lost that fight but as they say everything happens for a reason as I am that type of guy who doesn't easily accept failure easily. Two days later I was back at the gym feeling determined that I could not face another loss again. This led me to a very successful kickboxing career which I still look back upon with great satisfaction"
Martin soon realised that his next objective would be that of stepping into the boxing world. "I started improving my hand technique and science behind boxing. I soon realised this was my world. Everything around boxing is so special. I used to be the first one to hit the gym and the last one to go out!" stated Martin
In no time at all, Steve won 4 fights in a row and his boxing coach back then wanted to send him to Scotland in order for Martin to acquire a professional licence. "Obviously this is what I did. Back from Scotland the long winding road kicked off for me. Professional boxing in Malta was not on, so fights had to be arranged and take place in the UK or other European countries. This way "us" Maltese boxers were always facing the "away" factor with no real home support. Needless to say support from the refs and judges lack in these circumstances. In order to get your hands raised as a winner you had to knock your opponent spark out!" stated Martin.
Life was tough during this period for the Maltese professional boxer but he does not regret doing so. "I don't regret doing so. The experience gained way back made me the boxer I am today" recalled Martin
After that Steve launched his own "Fightfactory" gym in Marsa together with a good friend of his Jean Paul. "I love to train young upcoming kids wanting to do well into this sport. My biggest satisfaction though is that of keeping these kids away from all the bad habits which surround society nowadays."
"Boxing is my life. The sport keeps me healthy and mentally prepared for everything life can throw at me. Here in Malta we do also have a great team of professional boxers, well know in the boxing sector and are always up there with the top" stated Martin
The best thing to happen to Martin was still in the pipeline though. Four years ago he met his actual coach and best friend Barry Smith, an Englishman.
Martin still recalls the very first day Smith walked into his gym in order to do a training session with him. "It was the most painful enduring training session I had ever experienced. I was feeling so low after this that I decided to quit the next day, because I felt I was not prepared for this, but I knew I could hit it off with this guy."
The next day Barry Smith phoned Steve to pick up his pieces and get back to the gym and from there Martin trained with him for one month during his stay in Malta for a holiday. "He just knew what I was doing wrong and he pointed the way forward for me!"
In no time at all I was facing the ring bell gong for my first professional fight on home soil. "I never felt better" recalls Martin "I ended up knocking my opponent with a body shot after an amazing performance. I was feeling good and this was all credit to my new coach"
Under the shrewd coaching of Smith, Steve Martin has won all of his fights, nine of them being knockouts. "I have won four different titles, the WBU International, the WBU Intercontinental, the WBF International and of course my best one and favourite to date, the WBF World Championship, which I won against Graham the "Duke" Earl, who held the British lightweight title twice from 2003 to 2006 and the Commonwealth lightweight title from 2005 to 2006, a fight in which I stopped my opponent in the 10th round. This remains my biggest achievement to date. I made Malta proud on that day"
Life has not been that rosy all the way for Martin. The powerful Maltese boxer has suffered multiple injuries and set backs which limited his presence in the ring for the past one and a half years. His eyes go down again on his shiny boxing gloves and he pauses before he states "Couple of years ago I lost my beloved mother. Thank God and my angel mum up in heaven, I am back and roaring to go!"