London - Tuesday, 7th October 2014

The TRAD TKO Gym in Canning Town, deep in the heart of London’s East End, is always a hive of activity, no surprise having over forty pro boxers based there, but this month it’s buzzing even more than usual, due to three of the stars that train there being in Championship action in the coming weeks.

 

The first to step into the hallowed square ring in search of another Championship accolade is St Neots, Cambs exciting twenty year old Light Welterweight Tommy ‘Da Gun’ Martin, who is set to take his first steps towards a major domestic title, when he faces Southampton’s Matty Tew in a BBBofC English title eliminator at the O2 Arena on Saturday 11th October.

 

Billy Joe Saunders, Marianne Marston and Tommy Martin at the TRAD TKO Gym in London / credit - TRAD TKO Boxing Gym

 

Tommy, whose record stands at nine fights, nine wins, already holds a minor title - The British Masters Bronze at Welterweight, was recently signed to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport.

 

Young Tommy made such an impact in his first fight under the Matchroom banner that the savvy Eddie Hearn has decided to move him into Championship contention immediately.

 

Just two weeks later, on the 25th October at York Hall in Bethnal Green, TRAD TKO’s very own ‘Golden Girl’, Super Bantamweight Marianne Marston, is back in Championship action once more.

 

Back in March Marianne was rather unlucky not to secure the WBU European Featherweight crown, losing out to Hungary’s #1 ranked Featherweight Hana Horacova by a close split points decision.

 

On October 25th Marianne, who is ranked #1 in the UK, #8 in Europe and #58 in the World, is once again set to challenge another tough opponent from Hungary, this time Hungarian #1, European #3 and World #31 ranked Super Bantamweight Marianna Gulyas, for the MBC International crown.

 

Joining Marianne on the Dave Murphy Acourtier Events promoter CAPITAL PUNISHMENT event are a number of TRAD TKO rising stars, including the sensational Antonio Counihan, the exciting ‘Fighting Turks’ Siar and Onder Ozgul, big punching Matar Sambou, former American Basketball star Manny Muhammad and last but not least, making his pro debut Jerome Haywood.

 

Just over a month later comes one of the most anticipated Domestic battles of the year, when Hatfield superstar Billy Joe Saunders puts at least two of his many titles on the line, when he faces Chris Eubank Jr. on the Frank Warren promoted BAD BLOOD event at the Excel Arena on Saturday 29th November.

 

Ranked #2 in the UK, #5 in Europe and #14 in the World and with the British, Commonwealth, European and WBO International Middleweight Championship belts nestling in his trophy cabinet, most pundits expected Billy Joe to be focusing on a World title shot, rather than defend at least two of his current accolades against a domestic opponent.

 

With that said, this is a fight that had to happen and as with Chisora-Haye it will happen and the true British King of the division will be crowned.

 

TRAD TKO head honcho, Johnny Eames said of the three upcoming title fights,

 

“It’s exciting times for everyone involved with the TRAD TKO Gym, it’s fights like these that we spend the hours in the gym for, every fighter wants to fight at least once for a title.

 

Starting with young Tommy Martin he’s been with us since he was eighteen, he always wants to be in the gym, he loves being in the gym, If he had his way he’d live and die in the gym.

 

That dedication has really paid of for him, we had both Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren want to sign him, he chose Eddie and now he has an English title eliminator.

 

Barry Smith has done a great job since taking over as Tommy’s coach, Tommy’s come on in leaps and bounds, he’s still only a youngster, but is maturing fight by fight, a victory on Saturday will be the icing on the cake.

 

I’d never been much of a fan of Women’s boxing, but that started to change not long after Marianne joined us a few years ago, now we have a growing Women’s squad.

 

Like Tommy, Marianne’s another one that is always in the gym, she’s there more than I am.

 

Brian O’Shaughnessy is doing a fantastic job with her, she’s fitter and stronger than ever, as proved in sparring recently.

 

She was very unlucky to lose back in March, I think it will be very different this time around, she’s shook off the injury now so we expect it to be a very different outcome on October 25th.

 

What can I say about Billy Joe, in my opinion he’s already one of the best boxers, if not the best, in the country, a genuine World class fighter.

 

I’m sure it wont be long before Jimmy and Mark (Tibbs) are preparing Billy Joe for a World title fight, but right now the focus is on Chris Eubank Jr.

 

It’s going to be a great fight, definitely one for the fans, I’m looking forward to it and Billy Joe bringing the belts back to the TRAD TKO again.

 

It really is exciting times here, besides these three Championship fights, in the coming weeks we should be announcing further title shots for some of our fighters, at least for Freddie Turner and Joel McIntyre, hopefully also for Ian Bailey and Andy Gatenby.

 

Finally I’d like to say a big thank you to Baz Rehman, who’s always been a big supporter of TRAD TKO and it’s fighters, for getting behind Marianne and sponsoring her title fight.”

 

Tickets for Tommy ‘Da Gun’ Martin versus Matty Tew English Light Welterweight Title Eliminator, at the O2 Arena on Saturday 11th October 2014, Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston versus Marianna Gulyas MBC International Super Bantamweight Championship, at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday 25th October 2014 and Billy Joe Saunders versus Chris Eubank Jr. for the Commonwealth and European Middleweight Championships at the Excel Arena on Saturday 29th November are available direct from the TRAD TKO Gym, on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or call the Box Office on 07960 850645.