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Martin Quinn rules out Francy Luzoho rematch – Targets Victor Rabei


Martin Quinn‘s domestic scalping knife is ready to draw more blood.

Within minutes of defeating Francy Luzoho [1(1)-1(0)] and ‘proving people wrong’ in a highly entertaining and high-octane all-Irish affair, Quinn was calling for a shot at BUI Celtic light welterweight champion Victor Rabei.

The Moldovan-Dub, who beat Jake Hanney further up the same ‘Clash of the Titans’ card now wants to move onto the Irish title, for which Quinn is currently ineligible, but the charismatic Crumlin man has thrown his name into the hat as a potential opponent nonetheless.

Having faced two Irish opponents in succession, losing a controversial decision to Karl Kelly last year before his somewhat similarly controversial victory over Luzoho, ‘Mighty Martin’ believes he has earned a fight with Rabei [7(2)-0].

There are big rematch calls from fight fans and Team Luzoho alike following the contentious 59-56 verdict in favour of Quinn, but the Boxing Ireland fighter is all about moving forward.

“I’d like Victor next,” Quinn [3(1)-1(0)] told Irish-Boxing.com in the minutes after the win before dismissing a rematch with Luzoho.

“I don’t want to go backwards. Why do a rematch? The only reason I’d fight Karl is to avenge that loss and because I got robbed.”

“Everyone said Francy was a step up, I won that so let me step up again against Vic. That would be a good fight and I think I earned a shot at that title now plus I people should know I was only 50% in that fight so I’d be better against Victor.”

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While the Stephen Sharpe-managed fighter was keen to look forward following a win that was celebrated wildly in the blue corner, he also wanted to reflect on the build up of his most recent win.

Quinn felt he wasn’t shown the respect he deserved going into the domestic derby and rejoiced in getting the nod as well as, in his mind, proving the doubters wrong.

“See, people underestimated me,” he explained.

“That just proves I am good. If he was the next great thing, which is mad after your debut, then people have to admit I am a good boxer.”

“Everyone was asking me about his debut and how good he was. Well, if you all think he was good then you better start saying I am good.  I am 4-0 now. I didn’t lose to Karl Kelly. Everyone knows that. So look at it in my four fights I have beaten two Irish lads. I feel really proud now,” he added before admitting it wasn’t easy against Luzoho.

“Don’t get me wrong, he caught me with a few good shots in there, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. I said this to you all, that I’d deal with what he had to offer.”

“Honestly, and I mean this, fair play to Francy, he came to fight, he did hurt me in the second and there is no shame in that defeat to me. I really enjoyed defeating him, but I think he will have some good nights down the line.”  

Quinn agrees that Luzoho had his moments in the fight, but points out his opponent tired, something he took full advantage of.

“I felt tired after three rounds, which shouldn’t happen and maybe that was to do with this week, but listen, I knew for a fact he was getting ti”red.

“In the second he caught me with a left hook and I wobbled. It was a big shot and I heard the corner screaming at me to get my hands up, but after that I settled in. He went into that Mexican style, put his hands up and kept marching forward with his head down. I knew then he was tired – now I’ll be honest I was tired too, but when I noticed him getting tired it gave me a second wind.”

“In the first and the second round I felt his shots and, look, he is a good fighter, but after the third he wasn’t stinging me and I think I was hurting him.”

The fact Quinn has some personal issues in fight week made the win all the more satisfactory. In fact he claims he produced the best win of his career at just half-capacity.

“I had a few problems in training and in the last week in particular. I don’t like talking like this, but I know the week I had. I had some personal problems this week and I couldn’t train or eat healthy. I was 50 percent in there. I don’t like talking like that, but I know how hard this week was and I am delighted I still managed that performance,” he adds before crediting Crumlin coach ‘Butch’ with helping him make serious improvements in recent camps.

Bra Brady, Stephen Sharpe, Andy O'Neill, Martin Quinn, Butch, Phil Sutcliffe Sr
Bra Brady, Stephen Sharpe, Andy O’Neill, Martin Quinn, Butch, Phil Sutcliffe Sr

“I am tough as nails. I might not be the best boxer in the world, but I will get in there and fight. I have to say Butch has brought me on a lot on the pads. So, skills-wise I am getting better.”

“Don’t get me wrong Phil [Sutcliffe] is the best in the business and to have him in my corner is great, but I think the one on one work I got with Butch has brought me on a lot. I have to give it to him he is a great help.”

“I am still a raw novice in my opinion. I only started boxing five years ago so I am still learning.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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