Over the past year or so TRAD TKO supremo Johnny Eames’ right hand man, Barry Smith, has been splitting his time between the TRAD TKO Gym in London and the Fight Factory Gym in Malta, where he has been coaching the top Maltese prospects.
On Sunday Barry, who in his relatively short career has coached such luminaries of the sport such as former British Cruiserweight Champion Leon Williams, former Southern Area Lightweight Champion Ben Murphy, as well as current Southern Area Featherweight Champion Ian Bailey and WBU Super Middleweight World Champion Scott Dixon, once more packed his bags and set off to the idyllic Islands.
This time Barry has flown over to prepare WBU International Light Welterweight Champion Steve Martin for his upcoming fight, against Adnan Zilic, at the Greek Theatre, Ta Qali, this coming Friday.
Before setting off Barry spoke briefly about Steve Martin, his upcoming fight and the planned defense of Steve’s WBU title at York Hall, on October 4th.
“Yep, I’m off to Malta again, to train the WBU International Champion Steve Martin.
We’ve got a six rounder coming up on Friday, it’s going to be a good fight for him, he’s improved so much of late. I can see it now, this kid’s a hungry kid.
I bought him over to the TRAD TKO earlier this year for a bit of experience, we had him sparring with the likes of Colin Lynes, Dion Reid, Michael Grant and people like Freddie Turner, you know what I mean, classy fighters.
This is what Stevie needs, good sparring with real prospects, because he wants it more than anyone and he’s prepared to come over from Malta and spar with these guys.
He wasn’t even fazed by these guys, which proved to me just how much he wants this.
Steve Martin’s my boy, he stands out as a real good prospect.
Also there’s another one over there that is beginning to look like a good prospect, he’s another one that will be turning pro with us.
I like bringing the boys over, as they are respectful and they can fight, just they don’t get the chance to spar with quality opponents in Malta at the moment. I’m sure this will change, but at the moment it’s best to bring them to London so we can really test them.
Besides this fight in Malta on Friday, we’ve got Steve coming to London in October to defend his title.
This is fantastic for Steve Martin, also for myself and for the Fight Factory boys, I mean he’ll be coming over to defend his WBU title.
Steve is the real Champion of Malta, as we all know, now we want to bring him over to London and defend his title against guys over here, you know what I mean, we’re not frightened to travel anywhere and we’ll fight anyone.”
Steve Martin versus Adnan Zilic features on the Abner Ablea promoted event at the Greek Theatre, Ta Qali, which is headlined by the professional debut of Heavyweight sensation Billy Corito, against Radenko Kovac, as well as also features WBU Super Middleweight World Champion Scott Dixon in a non-championship battle against Remo Arns, on Friday 12th July 2013.
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