TRAINER Paddy Fitzpatrick has heaped praise on Swindon fighter Ryan Martin as he prepares to dazzle a home town crowd this evening.

Welterweight Martin will headline tonight’s Neilson Boxing-promoted ‘Kings of the Ring’ show at the MECA, which will also feature a host of other boxers from the Fitzpatrick stable.

Standing in the way of 24-year-old Martin and his 11th win in the pro ranks is Lithuanian Edvinas Puplauskas.

After losing his unbeaten record when going for the WBC youth world welterwight title in April 2017, Fitzpatrick has been impressed by Martin’s response, which includes victories in his two bouts so far this year.

The Irish trainer, who is based at Ferndale Road, believes his man posses qualities of the very highest order.

“Ryan is a world-class talent. He is the highest-spec of a fighter,” said Fitzpatrick.

“Why wouldn’t we be able to function at that level?

“You look at guys and think they are being noted at a certain level – say British or European or world level. Then you look at your guy and ask if he can do what the other guy does?

“If not, what are his deficiencies? Where is he falling short? There isn’t anything that Ryan can’t do.

“He can box southpaw and orthodox with ease. He has got perfect balance, he can work at distance, he can work inside, he has got good hand speed, good power, he has got a varied jab.

“There aren’t any tools that he doesn’t have. But there is no point in having a tool box with all the tools you could possibly have, if you don’t know how to use them or when to use them.

“It is all well and good having, for example, a great hook, but you have to be able to get into a position to set that hook up.

“He has got all the tools, he is aware of when to use them and he is developing now the mental side of the game over the last year, which was where he was falling short.”

Alongside Martin, Fitzpatrick stablemates Harry Webb, Bradley Townsend and Bec Connolly are all set to appear on the ‘Kings of the Ring’ show this evening.