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Mellow Martin Quinn aims to move into contention for Rabei-Kelly BUI Celtic title winner


Martin Quinn [2(1)-0] will have one eye on the top of the bill this Saturday as he returns to the ring after seven months out.

In one of the headline fights on Celtic Clash 6 at Good Counsel GAA Club in Drimnagh, Victor Rabei will take on Karl Kelly in a Dublin derby for the vacant BUI Celtic light welterweight title.

Quinn has his own all-Irish battle to contend with first, taking on Belfast warrior Alec Bazza, and wants the winner of the title fight afterwards.

However, the outspoken Crumlin puncher has mellowed somewhat.

While he is still mad as a brush, Quinn has scaled back the intensity of his calls for the winner – ever, ever so slightly.

“There’s one or two good fights out there for me but I’m in no rush,” he explained to Irish-Boxing.com.

“I know I throw around a lot of names but that’s me just having the craic, I’ve the utmost respect for any boxer that gets into the ring – regardless of how good I think they are or how good they think they are.”

“I’m not in the boxing game long enough to saw ‘he’s the boxer for me, I’m going to take him’.” I’m still a novice, I’ll listen to my team.”

“Now the way I am, if the fight is there and my team think it’s a good fight – I’ll take the fight.”

Giving his view on the title clash, Quinn described how “I think Rabei will outbox Karl. Karl’s a good boxer, he leans on you but I just think Victor will pinch it, I don’t think Karl can knock him out.”

“Karl’s a good boxer as well but one of them has to win, and I think it will be Rabei.”

“The same way that, if I was fighting Rabei, Karl would think that Rabei would beat me.

I think I beat the two of them all day. Whatever result, I’m sure I beat the two of them all day long.

“If I didn’t think I could beat either of them for the title, what’s the point of me being here? In my eyes, I’m a strong and nasty motherfucker, I don’t care how good you are, if you get in there with me you’re going to have a fight.”

“I’m 30, I’ve man power over all these, I’m tough.”

Before he can consider big fights, though, Quinn must first get back on the horse.

Having seen a fight in March fall through just days before – and with his first two outings being hampered by a rib injury – Quinn is keen to start building momentum..

‘Mighty Martin’ outlined how “I just want to get in there, get this one out of the way, then have a six rounder straight after it, no messing about.”

“I want to get this one out of the way, just to get the feel back, I haven’t boxed since December.”

“Now I’m at my best, I’ve had no injuries, not one injury for this fight.”

Expect a more considered Quinn this time round, too, with the Crumlin fighter looking to focus on using his skills rather than his notable power.

The colourful character explained how “Phil Sutcliffe had been away with Young Phil and now with the Irish team so I’m training with Ayser Nehar in the club, and he’s after bringing me back to the basics, schooling me every day.”

“Now when I’m sparring I’m starting to move my body, shift my body, move my head, I’m a different boxer now.”

“I learnt my lesson the last time with [previous opponent] Iago Barros, he was one tough man and I give him credit for that, he came to win. I hit hard and I hit him with everything but he just shook it off and kept coming.”

“Now I want to get some rounds in. What’s the point in knocking someone out in a minute? I want the rounds, I need the rounds.”

“I’m still a raw novice – I’m just a raw novice that will go in there and take your head off if you give him the chance!”

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

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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