By Jonny Stapleton

MARTIN Lindsay lay the ghost of Christmas past to rest last Saturday night and is now ready to haunt the top British super featherweights.

The 29 year old Belfast fan favourite returned to Kings Hall for the first time since his British title loss to John Simpson in December 2010 and defeated Mikey Coveney in impressive fashion.

The Belfast ticket seller, who was in Prizefighter winner Eamonn O’Kane’s corner after his fight, landed a flurry in the fourth to stop the Irish super featherweight champion  and register a win he hopes can help reignite his career.

The latest Irish star to hook up with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn  has suffered a quiet spell over the last 16 months but is making all the right noises now and has targeted another stint as British champion.

“It was weird being here(Kings Hall) again but I’m glad to have got the Simpson loss out of my system,” said Lindsay. “I’ve had two fights in six weeks and got nine good rounds under my belt but I didn’t feel any ring rust before as I’ve been training solidly for months. I’ve never fought twice so soon before and I feel great – I want to move up the card now to the top where I belong and get that British title back,” he added.

The University graduate has a educated left hook but it was a combined fistic effort that eventually brought the demise of the Coveney.

“Mickey’s a tough competitor and he wants to bully you onto the ropes so I’m pleased that I didn’t give him a look in. And the finish felt great – the second I threw it I knew it was a good one and it was a good stoppage from the referee as a couple of more punches would have seen him go.”

Lindsay’s Hearn link up combined with his ability to sell tickets and ability to fight should ensure big fights over the next 10 to 12 months.