Home Soil
18 November 2009 – By Cormac Campbell
Belfast featherweight Martin Lindsay remains hopeful that his February 5 British title defence against Jamie Arthur will be take place in his home city.
Lindsay had been hoping for a Kings Hall date for the mandatory bout, but with English promoter winning purse bids in excess of 50,000, the contest was brought to his charges home soil.
“I was a bit disappointed,” he told irish-boxing.com. “I had travelled all around the world building up my record and then when I won the title I expected to get to defend it at home especially after the atmosphere in the Appleby fight at the Ulster Hall.
“Basically Im a free agent so Im not attached to anyone. Frank Maloney won the purse bids and Arthur is with him so thats why he brought the fight to Wales.”
Lindsay is currently free of any managerial or promotional ties and will meet with a number of the sports key players in the coming weeks to discuss future plans. What he is hoping for under any new deal is more ring time.
“Before Magherafelt, I had only had one fight in 13 months so it was good to get in and shake off the rust. Before it I was offered a French journeyman but I turned that down because there is no point in going in and only getting a round. I wanted eight rounds or a late stoppage and Tetteh proved durable which was good. He was in there to win and he was dangerous.”
A ferocious trainer, Lindsay is already back in the gym ahead of the defence albeit at a reduced capacity.
“Were just ticking over at the moment,” he said.
By ticking over he means 10 light sessions a week.
“Its about 12 weeks away but well pick it up at the 10 week mark when everything is signed and sealed. Hopefully I can get it back to Belfast but that is not in my hands.
“And if I have to go to Wales then I will use that as my motivation.”
Such a training schedule means Lindsay, like so many other sportsmen will have to forgo Christmas celebrations in favour of blood and sweat.
“In the amateurs you used to get the lousy Christmas every year,” he explained.
“The seniors were always in January or February so you were always training over Christmas. Only two years ago I fought on January 10 in Canada. You miss out on it, but its not a big deal.”
The natural superfight for Lindsay at this stage is a contest with fellow Irishman and fellow world champion Bernard Dunne although this, more than likely, would have to wait until one of the pairing secures a European title.
“Obviously the public would like to see that but I dont know what Bernards plans are, I think it would be a good fight so you never know what could happen.”
