Former heavyweight titleholder Charles Martin made a triumphant return after a 16-month layoff, stopping Matthew McKinney within the first spherical Saturday night time on the Fox Theatre in Redwood Metropolis, California. The bout was promoted by Patrick Ragan’s Westside Promotions.
Martin, 38, trapped the 43-year-old McKinney within the nook and delivered a devastating left hand that floored his rival. Unable to beat the depend, McKinney folded into the nook as Martin showcased the ability that has outlined his profession, a lot to the delight of the Bay Space crowd.
The victory improved Martin’s document to 30-4-1 (27 KOs), whereas McKinney fell to 17-9-3 (13 KOs).
Martin briefly held the IBF heavyweight title in 2016, defeating Vyacheslav Glazkov earlier than dropping the belt three months later to Anthony Joshua inside two rounds. Whereas Martin is but to struggle for a title once more, he turned heads in July 2023 with a gritty efficiency towards rising prospect Jared Anderson, rocking Anderson throughout their 10-round struggle regardless of dropping a unanimous determination.
No official phrase has been given on Martin’s subsequent transfer however the veteran stays a ‘identify’ in a division stuffed with alternatives.
