RYAN Martin is hungry to add more belts to his collection after winning his first on Saturday night.

The former England and Walcot amateur became the British Classic Challenge welterweight champion with a classy 80-72 points success over Faheem Khan at the Oasis Leisure Centre.

Topping the bill for the first time on the Lights Out show, Martin once again showcased what a talented boxer he is as he won all eight rounds against the awkward and dangerous southpaw from Exeter.

And Martin, who had been scheduled to face Khan on two previous occasions before having to withdraw through injury, believes that he is ready to push on for a Southern Area title fight.

“I’m ready, I know that fitness and ability is there,” Martin said. “I know I’m ready but this is a learning game, I’m not going to rush.

“I’m 21-years-old, I have had six fights, we will take it step by step – I’m ready when (trainer) Rich (Farnan) says that I’m ready.

“This fight (against Khan) meant more to me than people anticipated, this was the third time that I was meant to fight him and I had to pull out twice, which I gutted about.

“I finally got him, got the job done and got a little belt – hopefully the first of many.”

The Horseshoe Gym fighter came into this fight on the back of brutal second-round stoppage of Linas Meistavicius in September.

And while the crowd were baying for Khan’s blood, Martin knew that the Exeter fighter had stopping power of his own after defeating Swindon’s Garvey Kelly back in February.

“The crowd want you to rush, when they are not throwing shots they are thinking why aren’t you punching them,” added Martin, who is looking fight again in December.

“We knew what he was capable of, he was big hitter – I felt his strength when I got in close and he let his hands go, I stayed sensible.

“I started calling him on and in the sixth he said ‘don’t worry I’m coming’ so I knew for the last two rounds that I had a bit of a fight on my hands.

“He did let his hands go and come out with his hands tighter, he looked more intent.

“I said before that speed was the key. I felt that I was more powerful than him but I had to be sensible and make sure that I didn’t walk on to any silly shots and used my speed.”

With Kelly also winning on Saturday night, a points success over Bulgarian journeyman Danny Donchev, the Swindon pair moved closer to a potential showdown next year.

“I didn’t see it, but Garvey got a good win, I got win – I managed not to get caught with a big back hand,” said Martin.

“Now that (Kelly fight) is something to look at in the future.”