Lindsay inspired by compatriots

9 April 2009 – By Cormac Campbell

irish-boxing.com Prospect of the Year is taking inspiration from the success of his countrymen as he gears up for a shot at Paul Applebys British featherweight title.

Lindsay and Appleby will clash on April 25 at Belfasts Ulster Hall something the home favourite is delighted with.

Boxings been going well in Ireland recently, he said.

Weve got Bernard Dunne, Martin Rogan, Paul McCloskey and Brian Magee all doing really well in title fights. Were all going in as underdogs and coming out on top. Weve had a run of about four or five big fights where nobody backed us and we ended up bringing home the belts. That can only be a good thing for Irish boxing.

Lindsay may also find himself a slight underdog on April 25. In an intriguing battle of unbeaten fighters, champion Appleby and challenger Lindsay get it on at the second time of asking, following a postponed date in March.

I cant wait to get going, said Lindsay, who was forced to pull out of the original date due to a rib injury. My ribs are fine now and Ive been sparring away and getting hit there. Its not a problem.

I had a trapped nerve in my rib, but Ive had a lot of work done on it and it seems to have done the trick. Im firing on all cylinders again now and cant wait.

The 13-0 Lindsay will require all cylinders against reigning champion Appleby, 14-0.

Hes (Appleby) a strong fighter who comes forward and sometimes comes forward too much for his own good, assesses the Mac Man.

Sometimes he can be a bit reckless. Still, it seems to be working for him right now as hes finishing a lot of guys off. Thats just the way he fights. Hopefully as he steps up in class hell find it a bit harder to do the things he does at a lower level. Im hoping I can exploit a few weaknesses he has.

I want to go out and do what I want to do in this fight. At the same time, though, Im obviously going to go out there and look to capitalise on mistakes as he comes forward.

Lindsay secured his shot at the British title with a stunning ninth-round knockout of Liverpools Derry Mathews last September. Slightly behind on points at the time, one single left-hook landed Lindsay the title chance hed always craved. He admits the impending duel with Appleby could be even more enthralling than the victory over Mathews.

Hes the British champion and hes the one with the title, says Lindsay.

Theyre all tough guys out there – and Ive fought plenty of tough opponents in the past – but Id probably say Appleby is the strongest one so far, simply because he holds the belt.

Derry and Appleby are two very different fighters. Derry had long range and long arms, and I probably wont have to deal with anything like that against Appleby. Appleby is probably a bit more aggressive, though. They both bring different things to the table.

Ultimately, given Irelands recent run of boxing heroics, Lindsay feels in safe hands on April 25. He couldnt ask for a better backdrop to his first British title shot.

In any fight, especially at this level, youre going to have to dig deep and pull it out, he explains. The home crowd does help to bring that out of you a wee bit. It gives you that little bit extra. If things start going pear-shaped you can always rely on the crowd for that extra boost.

Martin Lindsays British title shot against Paul Appleby takes place at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on April 25. Tickets priced at 35, 50 and 70 can be purchased directly by calling 02890 334 455.