Martin tipped to bounce back (From Swindon Advertiser)

Martin tipped to bounce back

7:10am Tuesday 15th November 2011 in Boxing By Andy Warren

RYAN Martin will come back from his defeat to friend Luke Saunders a better fighter, according to his coach Brian Roberts.

Martin went into the Clubs for Young People Championship semi-final in Portsmouth on Saturday in confident mood, but was adrift after the first round and struggled to close the gap in the remaining two.

The Horseshoe Gym amateur eventually lost the bout 27-7 on points, but Roberts was determined to take the positives and refused to make excuses.

“Throughout his training he has not been 100 per cent fit because of a back problem, but we will not use that as an excuse although he was struggling,” he said.

“We were all on a bit of a low after the fight, but he is much better than that and he knows it.

“He will come back stronger I am sure, because you have to take something defeats like this.

“Luke is a very good young fighter, and the truth of the matter is that in the first round the game plan failed, and from then on it was always really hard work.

“Being down four points after a round is a big gap, and you are always having to play catch up. Ryan knew from then on he probably needed to knock him out if he was going to come away with a win, and when you are fighting someone as good as Luke that is going to be very hard to do.

“To his credit, Ryan went looking for it but just could not get his punches off as Luke did well to stay out of any real trouble.”

Martin’s next fight will be representing the Western Counties against The Army in December, but Roberts already has his sights set on the ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) Championships in March.

“We want him to get through to a stage in the championship so that we can face Luke again, because Ryan is a better fighter than he showed on Saturday.

“Even if it is not then, I am sure these two will fight again, and it should be a good rematch.”