Bitten By The Boxing Bug – No Early Retirement for Martin Wall

Martin Wall‘s mother was probably the only person unhappy to hear the novice pro will return to the ring before the year is out.

The former Crumlin amateur’s mammy celebrated his debut win earlier this month as wholeheartedly as any of the supporters he brought to the National Basketball Arena – not because of the win but because her son emerged unharmed and in the hope that it would be his final fight.

It is unusual to expect retirement after one bout but boxing super fan Wall had made it clear boxing was more a passion than a business choice. World titles were never on the radar and he has a career outside the ring he is both happy with and dedicated to.

In that regard, it was possible to think he could have got his fix by fighting once under the lights and rode off into the sunset. However, that is anything but the case for the Dub who has been confirmed for the Celtic Clash 7 card next month.

Wall claims the bug caught back up with him and firmly sunk its teeth in.

“Unfortunately I think my mother might be left waiting a while for me to finally walk away from boxing! The bug has truly bitten me again,” Wall told Irish-Boxing.com.

“I got to take the day after [the debut] off and have a pizza and two beers, but I was back out running on the Monday and in the gym that week. It’s become my routine now so I feel lost just sitting at home not training.”

In fairness to Wall, buzzing post his win he had expressed a desire to keep active and to sample the experience again. However, he felt it might be after the New Year before he got the chance to try and make it 2-0.

The Jay Byrne-managed light middle was surprised to get a Celtic Clash 7 opportunity, but is delighted nonetheless ahead of the November 24th fight date at Good Counsel GAA Club in Drimnagh.

“It was a bit of a surprise to have a new date so quickly considering how slow boxing in the Republic has been in recent years and how long it has taken some very good lads to get the ball rolling and prevent stages of inactivity.”

“I was surprised alright but pleasantly surprised as having a date is what keeps me motivated and living the right kind of lifestyle. Bad habits with eating and training are easy to fall back into,” he added before reflecting on his debut.

” Looking back on my debut, it is still all a bit of a blur to be honest but it was a great experience to finally get in there and get going. However, the show could have been ran much better with silly things like the wrong song being played for my walk-out music and the running order being unknown to everyone including the fighters putting a bit of a dampener on the whole experience. Truth be told though that’s just to be expected at a lot of shows in Ireland unfortunately.”

Wall like his managerial stable mate Eddie Traecy has been vocal about not wanting to navigating a host of journeymen before a big fight, but accepts on a card with some real mouthwatering all-Irish clashes on it he will have to face a relatively unknown opponent. However, he does want to be tested.

“In all honesty, I leave the opponents to my manager Jay and I just focus on the training but, yeah, I would like someone durable so I can get rounds in the bank before focusing on a hopefully quite active 2019,” he explained before suggesting he was willing to go what has become known as the Byrne route by taking risks on Sky shows.

The boxer, who has recently suggested a clash with Geordie ticketseller Joe Laws, outlined how “I am of course willing and ready to accept large payments from any big UK promoters to beat up their prospects – preferably on PPV, not asking for much!”

“However, decent domestic fights would be my preference as it would give Irish boxing fans the fights they deserve.”