Lindsay marks time

11 September 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

British featherweight champion Martin Lindsay makes a muted return to action in a non-title fight tonight, but is adamant he will be fighting for big honours very soon.

Lindsay has endured a tough time of late, raising fears a career, which promised so much in the way of continental and world honours, had stagnated.

The fact that The Mac Man will contest an insignificant eight rounder with Yauheni Kruhlik (10-12) on the under card of Jason Booths IBF world title challenge tomorrow instead of defending his title on top of a Belfast bill further fuelled those worries.

But the undefeated and talented Belfast pro claims things are not as drastic as they seem and stressed he is unworried about his career progression.

He expects to defend his domestic strap against Stephen Smith soon and Sofiane Takouchts surprise victory over European champion Oleh Yefimovych makes a potential EBU clash more likely.

Things are not as bad as people make out, Lindsay told the Mirror yesterday.

I have always had to play the waiting game in my career and it seems I have had to do it again. I was trying to make a voluntary defence but the British Boxing Board of Control turned down a few challengers and others didnt want to fight me. I was in limbo for a bit but I just have to be patient. Im waiting on news about the purse bids for the mandatory defence against Stephen Smith and then theres the European situation. Now that Frenchman is the champion, that the European title fight could be made a lot easier. I am ranked number one the in ranking so I am confident that fight will be made.

First and foremost Lindsay must over the come the challenge of Kruhlik in Newcastle tomorrow.

In keeping with the unpredictable theme of Lindsays career the Belirusian has been called in as a late replacement for David Kiilu leaving Lindsay with a number of unexpected problems.

I have been training for a southpaw for the last eight weeks and Kruhlik is orthodox. He also usually fights at light welterweight and is that bit heavier so I will have to box and use brains to win. But these things have been happening to boxers throughout history I just have to get on with it and get the win.