WHEN Ryan Martin steps through the ropes this evening to fight for the vacant WBC Youth world welterweight title he knows that he wouldn’t be where he was today if it wasn’t for two men.

At the tender age of six, Martin’s father, Lee, took his young son to his old boxing club, Walcot ABC, as he felt that Ryan was being bullied at school.

Having walked through those gym doors, Martin was introduced to the club’s chief coach Harry Scott.

It was a meeting that would take Martin to the verge of the Great Britain squad before eventually turning professional in March 2014.

And as he faces Michael McKinson at the Oasis Leisure Centre for a belt which has been won by Saul Alvarez, Danny Garcia and Timothy Bradley Jr, Martin has never forgotten his roots.

“I remember my dad taking medown the gym, I was only six,” Martin explained. “He thought that I was being bullied at school, I wasn’t, but he thought I needed to know how to defend myself.

“That’s when I met Harry and he could tell, even from a young age, I had a bit of talent.

“I owe so much to Harry, he has taught me so much.

“But it is not just Harry, my parents too. They took me here, there and everywhere for fights.

“They are the ones who always supported me and made sure that I got to the fights.”

After an amateur career that saw him win national titles and juniors ABAs, Martin stepped into the paid ranks three years ago.

Like many young protégés looking to make their mark in the squared circle, Martin would have to deal with hardened professionals whose job it was ensure that the prospect didn’t get an easy ride.

The former Walcot and England amateur, who is now trained by Paddy Fitzpatrick, is now relishing the test that awaits him on Saturday.

“I have always been full of confidence. I know that I can’t afford to slip up,” he said.

“I have been getting some really good sparring in and I’m looking forward to getting out there on Saturday night.”

Martin’s fight with McKinson is the main event of Trifecta Boxing Promotions’ ‘Risky Business’ show ,with unbeaten cruiserweight Luke Watkins chief support in a 10-round contest.

Also appearing on the card are stablemates Sam Smith, David Bailey, Harry Webb – who is making his debut – and Brandon Thomson.