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He really does look like Mike Tyson. And when he walks into the ring and knocks some poor soul into next week with one punch, it only furthers the resemblance.
But MMA star and fledgling pro boxer Terry Martin is his own man; a remarkable one.
31-year-old Martin (4-0, 4 KOs) will appear on the undercard of Hitz Boxing’s return of the “Thanksgiving Eve Belvedere Bash”, on Wednesday, November 23, at the posh Belvedere Banquet in Elk Grove, Illinois, that will be headlined by former world title challenger Johnny Lewus (25-4-1, 21 KOs) taking on Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Allen “The American Boy” Litzau (13-6, 7 KOs).
A native of the streets of Chicago, Martin was in a gang by the age 10 and was shot five times in a drive-by shooting at the age of 15. It was a wake-up call that led him away from the gangs and into school where he has gone on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master’s Degree, and is working toward a PhD. He also frequently takes his own time to visit schools, churches and community centers to speak to young people about the value of staying in school.
An impressive 22-9 in MMA, hammer-fisted Martin rose to national prominence in 2005 when he first competed in the UFC. He eventually made six appearances in the world’s premier MMA promotion and has also competed for Strikeforce, Affliction and King of the Cage promotions, among others. He continues to compete in MMA, having won a fight by first-round knockout in October of this year.
“Boxing is what my father and grandfather always wanted me to do. They boxed all their lives,” explains Martin of his ring career. Both boxing and MMA have their pros and cons, but right now I think I’m liking boxing a little better than MMA. The training is more focused on one thing. You don’t have to worry about being kicked.”
Martin, who trains at Chicago Boxing Gym under the guidance of well-respected trainer Sam Colonna, says he’s coming to Wednesday’s fight with some noticeable technique improvements.
“Every punch I throw I still try to nail you with it. I’m still trying to knock your head off, but me and Sam are working in the gym on combination punching and staying aggressive. He’s teaching me to keep throwing them. If one misses, three or four will catch you. You’ll see the improvements in that when I fight this time.”
The idea to serve as inspirational speaker and role model came from another fighter, who recalled Martin’s history and recognized how valuable he could be as a mentor to impressionable young people.
“One of my old peers suggested I come up and talk to some students. I didn’t think anything of it, but I guess when I talked to them I had inspired them so much that my friend said ‘man you should do that more.’ I think kids might look up to me a little more because I’m from where they come from. Somebody else telling them what’s right and wrong might not work as well as someone who knows what they know. I’ve been there. I have that street credibility and I would do anything to help a young person out.
So how does he feel about resembling the former champion “Iron Mike”?
“I love Mike Tyson! Everybody’s been telling me I look like him since I was a kid and that’s probably why I’ve done what I’ve done with my life,” he laughs. “Mike Tyson has to get some of the credit.”
Tickets for the “Thanksgiving Eve Belvedere Bash” are $100 Ringside and $35 G/A and are available at fanfueled.com or the HITZ TIX HOTLINE: 630-442-4203. All bouts are subject to change. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the action starts at 7:30.
The Belvedere Banquet is located at 1170 West Devon in Elk Grove.
Visit www.hitzboxing.com for more information. |
