Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
On Saturday, January 16, 2016, Charles Martin took on Vyacheslav Glazkov for the vacant IBF Heavyweight title at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
The fight got off to a slow start, but Martin was able to control the distance with his jab over the smaller “Czar” in Round 1.
The third round provided much of the same in terms of slow-paced action until Glazkov hit the deck after an apparent slip.
As soon as Glazkov got up it was clear that he was walking gingerly as he immediately began retreating.
Czar goes down with a possible ACL tear. #Boxing #WilderSzpilka pic.twitter.com/pJWaN3sT6J
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) January 17, 2016
Less than a minute later Glazcov hit the deck again with agony written all over his face. Showtime replays confirmed that Glazkov’s injury was indeed caused by a slip and that no punch from Martin even connected.
After the fight, ringside doctor Gerard Verlotta confirmed to Showtime reporter Jim Gray that the injury was a torn right ACL, a devastating result for the previously unbeaten Glazkov.
“I still wanted to fight,” Martin said after the fight.
“We trained for 12 rounds and we were going to get stronger as the rounds went on. He just kind of twisted his ankle, it looked like.”
“But every time I hit him in the body and his legs were flying. It’s boxing,. That was a football injury. I’m sorry for him. It’s unfortunate he couldn’t continue the fight.”
During the post-fight press conference Martin voiced his desire to unify the titles with current champions, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
New IBF champion Charles Martin posing with his new hardware. Says he wants all the belts and "Fury has the most" pic.twitter.com/OdkHvCzhgu
— Sarah Gruber (@Its_Sare_Marie) January 17, 2016
British Heavyweight Derrick Chisora, who was in attendance, took the opportunity to call out Martin.
Dereck Chisora at @barclayscenter offers gentlemanly challenge to @stprincecharles pic.twitter.com/XsfNCqStaT
— Michael Woods (@Woodsy1069) January 17, 2016
Although it was a title-winning effort, Martin didn’t have to exert himself much and could easily be back in the ring in a couple of months.
There are tons of options for Martin, including Glazkov who stated after the fight that he would like a rematch.
“This should have been my belt,” Glazkov said. “I already had him figured out. I slipped and felt a sharp pain in my right knee and felt it give it out. I’m very upset. I want a rematch when I recover.”
Who would you like to see Charles Martin take on next?
