Martin Power.

Published: 30 January, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

BANTAMWEIGHT Martin “Too Much” Power has made the “heart-breaking” decision to hang up his gloves.

In doing so the father of four, who turns 34 on Valentine’s Day, brings to an end a glittering career which saw him reign in the ring and rise to the top of the sport to land the British title.

But with sadness in his heart Martin has decided to ring the final bell on a boxing career which started when he was just eight years old.

“Boxing is all I’ve ever known, it’s unreal just how much I’m missing it,” he said. “Thankfully I have the kids around me which is keeping me occupied.

“It has been the hardest decision of my life. I’m not going to fight again, which is sad. If I was a heavyweight I wouldn’t have even hit my prime yet.

“But the bantamweight division is all about speed and sharpness, you peak sooner. With all the younger fighters coming through I don’t think it would have been a smart decision to keep on fighting. I’m certainly not getting any younger.”

Growing up in Castlehaven Road, Camden Town, it wasn’t long before Martin ended up on the doorstop of St Pancras Amateur Boxing Club, which was just minutes away from his front door.

He ended up becoming the most successful amateur in the club’s history, reaching 12 national finals, seven of which he won.

He also represented England at junior, youth and senior level and between club and country added no fewer than eight gold medals to an already crammed trophy cabinet. The success saw Martin voted the St Pancras Millennium Fighter of the Year.

In 2001, at the age of 21, Martin turned professional and within four years he was beating Dale Robinson to capture the British title.

“Since I was a little boy all I dreamt about was winning the Lonsdale belt.

“And I actually did it,” Martin recalled proudly.

“In a way knowing that I had fulfilled that dream made it a little easier to retire.”

Martin successfully defended the British title twice before being forced to relinquish the belt because of a shoulder injury.

He also had two testing fights against Tshifhiwa Munyai for the Commonwealth title but a bad refereeing decision and that ongoing shoulder injury prevented him adding the accolade to his list of honours.

Looking to the future Martin said he fully intends to stay in boxing.

“St Pancras is still and always will be very close to my heart so I want to start helping coach at the gym. I want to share my knowledge and pass it on to the next generation of fighters. And in doing so, give something back to the club where it all started for me.”