Martin wasted no time dismissing the challenge of journeyman Polley and instantly turned his attention to regaining the world title following a troubled year in which the ‘Prince’ was shot in the arm and struggled to come to terms with losing his crown.
The recently-turned 31 year-old was halted by Anthony Joshua in London on April 9, 2016, a reverse that represented his first career loss, and Martin is ready to put it behind him to focus on another assault at the division’s best.
“I’m just back to finish what I started. It was a long journey. I didn’t want it to end like that (being stopped by Joshua), but it did. Now I’m back and I’m ready to be undisputed, like my plans were originally, undisputed champ,” said Martin in his post-fight interview on FS1.
“I was in a dark place for a moment, you know, and I’m just happy to have come up out of it. I’m in good shape now. I’m in a good place right now, so we’re gonna keep it like that.”
On the Joshua loss, Martin added: “I wasn’t 100 percent. I got hurt prior to the fight, so I couldn’t perform. My head wasn’t in the game. I couldn’t perform. I was hurt.
“I’m putting in the work, the dedication and I’m fully focused on just boxing. It’s all about boxing now.”
The southpaw is hoping to be active moving forward and will surely be an interest spectator when ex-opponent Joshua faces off against Wladimir Klitschko this weekend.
Following twelve months of uncertainty, Martin will be eyeing a ranking victory in the near future, which would then put him in the frame to meet the likes of Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker or the winner of Joshua v Klitschko if he can stay on track.
