Mac Man plans return to the top
By Jonny Stapleton
Prodigal son Martin Lindsay makes his long over due return to the squared circle this Friday believing he can still make an impression on European featherweight scene.
The Belfast fans favourite hasnât fought since a December 2010 Kings Hall defeat to John Simpson, but claims the sabbatical or his first reverse hasnât dented his confidence.
It will be a case of Return of âThe Mac Manâ when Lindsay returnâs on Londonâs âShamrock Showcaseâ show and he is confident he still has the capabilities to compete at the top of the featherweight food chain.
âAll I can do is keep winning and put myself in a position and force a mandatory shot. My confidence has never dipped. I lost to John Simpson, who is a credible apponent. I took my eye of the ball. I had knocked out two fighters who had beaten him in Derry Matthews and Paul Appleby.â Lindsay explained
âThere are plenty of good featherweights out there. Lee Selby is British Champion, but he is mandatory for the European belt, so it will be interesting to see what he does.â
It takes a lot more than fight talk to secure title shots, in boxing, action speaks louder than words, but whilst the former British champion has the talent to manoever into contention he needs someone to provide the figths in which he can impress.
It seems however, he has, as he revealed he will work on Matchroomâs three Belfast cards this year.
The former IBF youth world champ and university graduate could follow 15 idle months with four fights this year.
âI had a bit of bad luck promotional wise over the last few years. When I became a free agent I didnât want to tie myself in with anyone because with Frampton McCloskey and Brian Magee winning I knew there would be shows here in Belfast. So I wanted to stay free and wait until the oppurtuinities came. Matchroom are now running three shows here this year and they want me to be part of it.â
With garenteed fights ahead of him the former European number 1 contender believes he can remerge on the scene and challenge for titles.
âMatthews came back from me knocking him out to fight for the European and IBO titles. My confidence hasnât dipped. I need to keep busy and get those fights.
Defeat always hurts, but I feel young and fresh. If you look at all my fights I havenât been in a wars and bar the black eye John Simpson gave me there hasnât been much damage done to me in fights. â