Chris Martin (boxing trainer) explained

Chris Martin
Birth Name:Christopher Bruce Martin
Birth Date:23 September 1964[1]
Birth Place:Napier, New Zealand
Death Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Burial Place:Waikumete Cemetery[2]
Occupation:Boxing manager and trainer

Christopher Bruce Martin (23 September 1964 – 21 August 2023) was a New Zealand boxing manager and trainer. He trained many boxers including two of David Tua's fights in 2011, Joseph Parker's debut and first fight in Australia, Mea Motu during her amateur career, Geovana Peres for her two world title fights in 2019, Michelle Preston for her world title fight in 2012, and Daniella Smith.

Training amateur boxers

Soulan Pownceby

In 1995, Martin was the personal trainer of Olympic boxer Soulan Pownceby when Pownceby got convicted for manslaughter.[3] [4]

Siona Fernandes

In 2012, Martin's boxer Siona Fernandes went to The London 2012 Summer Olympics, competing in the flyweight division.[5] When Fernandes started boxing under Martin, in their first year together, Fernandes captured the New Zealand National Amateur Boxing Championships and Most Scientific boxing award at the Championships.[6]

Mea Motu

In 2015, Martin coached a team of amateur boxers to take to the New Zealand Championships. One of the people on the team was Mea Motu.[7]

David Tua

In 2011, Martin started training David Tua in Tua's 2011 comeback after Tua's draw against Monte Barrett in 2010.[8] Martin's first fight with Tua was against Demetrice King. Martin described King as a big man.[9] Tua won the fight by unanimous decision.[10] Roger Bloodworth who trained Tua for his Shane Cameron fight, was considered an option leading into the rematch against Monte Barrett.[11] Seven weeks before Tuas fight against Barrett rematch, Martin still had not heard from Tua and Tua had still not made his decision on who his trainer will be.[12] However, in the end Martin trained Tua for his rematch against Monte Barrett which took place in New Zealand.[13] Martin was part of the press conference leading into the fight against Barrett.[14] Martin stated he worked on Tua Work rate going into the Barrett fight during training.[15] Tua lost the fight against Barrett. Martin refused to work with Tua after that fight after not being paid for his services.[16] [17] Martin described the loss for Tua against Barrett was down to Tua's battles outside the ring.[18]

Main stable

Steven Heremaia

Martin was the trainer for Steven Heremaia since Heremaia's amateur boxing career.[19] Martin described Heremaia as a "mini-Tyson".[20] Martin would continue to train Heremaia throughout his professional career.[21] One of the fights Martin cornered Heremaia for was his first fight in Fiji against Zulfikar Joy Ali.[22] In February 2010 when Heremaia at the time had the record of 14–3, Martin believed 2 out of 3 of Heremaia losses were due to poor judging. This comes after Heremaia suffered another loss due to poor judging.[23]

Nikolas Charalampous

Martin was one of Charalampous' trainers during his professional boxing career.[24] The other trainer being Cleve Langdon.

The Tai family

Martin trained multiple members of the Tai family including Daniel, Jordan, Joshua and Monica.[25] [26]

Martin trained Jordan Tai when he defeated unbeaten Joe Blackborn for the New Zealand title in the first round.[27]

In 2021, Monica Tai under Chris Martin was expected to return to the ring as a pro.[28] However, the return did not happen in the end due to the covid pandemic.

Marcus Heywood

Marcus Heywood was one of Martin's professional boxers that he trained.[29] Heywood opinion training with Martin is "Bloody awesome, best coach in New Zealand".[30] Heywoods Farther shares the same opinion stating "he is extremely good".[31]

Other boxers

In 2012, Martin trained Clarence Tillman for his fight against Sonny Bill Williams for the New Zealand title.[32]

In 2014, Martin trained William Quarrie, one of his well known fights was against Hemi Ahio at the Super 8 Boxing Tournament undercard.[33]

Women boxers

Michelle Preston

In 2012, Preston fought for her first World boxing title fight in Argentina. Preston turned to Martin to improve her hand work.[34]

Smith family

Martin trained Daniella Smith during her career.[35] In 2014, Martin would start training Smith's daughter Talia.[36] [37]

Geovana Peres

Martin was one of the key components for Geovana Peres' WBO World Light Heavyweight title win and successful defence in 2019.[38] [39]

Train Joseph Parker and his opponents

Joseph Parker pro debut

On Joseph Parkers professional boxing debut, Martin trained and cornered Parker when he fought Dean Garmonsway on the 5th July 2012.[40] [41] [42]

Afa Tatupu

Martin trained Tatupu for his fight against Joseph Parker in 2013.[43] Martin trained Tatupu full time, training twice a day leading into this fight.[44]

Brian Minto

In 2014, Martin trained Brian Minto in his fight against Joseph Parker.[45] Minto trained with Martin at Auckland's Boxing Alley Gym.[46] Leading into the fight, Minto broke his nose.[47] Minto lost the fight by stoppage.

Cornering Joseph Parker

In 2023, Parker was cornered by Martin in Parker's first fight in Australia against Faiga Opelu.

Celebrity training

Martin was regular requested by boxers and celebrities to train them while in New Zealand. One example of this is Jimmy Spithill.[48] Another was Shortland Street Actor Bree Peters.[49]

Death

On 21 August 2023, Martin died suddenly of a heart attack, at the age of 59.[50] [51]

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boxrec Profile. Boxrec. 2023-09-01.
  2. Web site: Record for Christopher Bruce Martin. Auckland Council. 2023-09-01.
  3. Web site: NZ boxer served time for manslaughter. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-06-22. 2023-08-21.
  4. Web site: Officials back killer boxer. New Zealand Herald. 2023-08-21.
  5. Web site: KIWI BOXERS MAKE OLYMPIC HISTORY. NZ Olympic team. 2012-06-14. 2023-08-21.
  6. Web site: From Dancer to boxer. NZ Herald. 2011-11-27. 2023-08-21.
  7. Web site: Boxing Alley fighters pursue spot in NZ amateur boxing team. Te Ao Maori. 2015-09-17. 2023-08-21.
  8. Web site: Martin relishes working with David Tua. Stuff NZ. 2011-03-18. 2023-08-21.
  9. Web site: Hype ratchets up as 'backyard brawl' nears. Stuff NZ. 2011-03-19. 2023-08-21.
  10. Web site: David Tua grinds out win over Demetrice King. Stuff NZ. 2011-03-20. 2023-08-21.
  11. Web site: Boxing: Rematch could be Tua's final fight. New Zealand Herald. 2011-06-18. 2023-08-21.
  12. Web site: Tua has bout but no trainer. Sunday Star Times. 2011-06-19. 2023-08-21.
  13. Web site: Redemption on song for relaxed David Tua. Stuff NZ. 2011-08-07. 2023-08-21.
  14. Web site: Boxing - Tua v Barrett Presser, 8 August 2011. Photosport. 2011-08-08. 2023-08-21.
  15. Web site: N song. Sunday News. 2011-08-07. 2023-08-28.
  16. Web site: Boxing: Barrett, Tua to make it three?. New Zealand Herald. 2011-11-20. 2023-08-21.
  17. Web site: Tua, trainer in pay row. Marlborough Express. 2011-11-16. 2023-08-21.
  18. Web site: Former trainer tips Tua to prevail. The Southland Times. 2013-11-09. 2023-08-21.
  19. Web site: Inga Tuigamala's Fight Night. Fight Times Magazine. 2010-03-25. 2023-08-21.
  20. Web site: Sport: Kiwi Boxing's Groundhog Day. Scoop. 2008-03-05. 2023-08-21.
  21. Web site: Top boxers ring in to Rodney. Stuff NZ. 2009-01-31. 2023-08-21.
  22. Web site: Don't Force: Joy Warned. Fiji Sun. 2010-06-18. 2023-08-21.
  23. Web site: Cameron camp tells Hoppa he's a chicken. Sunday Star-Times. 2010-02-14. 2023-08-21.
  24. Web site: Nikolas Charalampous decides to box clever. Stuff NZ. 2013-11-17. 2023-08-21.
  25. Web site: Boxing Online Extra – Interview with Jordan Tai. Te Ao Maori. 2016-05-24. 2023-08-21.
  26. Web site: NZ boxing's next big thing: Meet middleweight star Viliami Liava'a. New Zealand Herald. 2022-08-18. 2023-08-21.
  27. News: Jordan Tai chasing title glory at Big Bash. Newshub. 2016-11-10. 2023-08-21.
  28. Web site: Monica Tai confirmed to make in ring. Women Boxing News Archive. 2021-04-19. 2023-08-21.
  29. Web site: The Kiwi boxer hoping for fairytale finish on world stage. One News. 2022-10-14. 2023-08-21.
  30. Web site: Marcus Heywood on fight with Omar Ismail, trainer Chris Martin, past fight with Bowyn Morgan in Chch. Gladrap Channel. 2022-05-19. 2023-08-25.
  31. Web site: Marcus Heywood wrapping gloves with Chris Martin moments before showdown. Gladrap Channel. 2022-05-21. 2023-08-25.
  32. Web site: Fighters trade early blows as weigh-in becomes heated. The Southland Times. 2012-02-08. 2023-08-29.
  33. Web site: Boxers ready for the ring. East and Bays Courier. 2014-05-23. 2023-08-29.
  34. Web site: Preston chases super flyweight title. Sunday News. 2012-11-18. 2023-08-21.
  35. Web site: The comeback queen. Western Leader. 2006-05-19. 2023-08-28.
  36. Web site: Boxing champs daughter sets sights on pro career. Te Ao Maori. 2014-02-12. 2023-08-21.
  37. Web site: Cousins step in the ring. Northern News. 2014-06-16. 2023-08-21.
  38. Web site: GEOVANA PERES ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT. Gay Express Magazine. 2021-02-01. 2023-08-21.
  39. Web site: Shocking Death of Legendary Boxing Trainer. Women Boxing New Archive. 2023-08-22. 2023-08-21.
  40. Web site: Joseph Parker v Dean Garmonsway. Sky Sports NZ. 2014-10-02. 2023-08-21.
  41. Web site: Parker's former trainer Chris Martin on Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker. Gladrap. 2018-03-15. 2023-08-21.
  42. Web site: Parker's former trainer Chris Martin on Parker's Loss to Dillian Whyte. Gladrap. 2018-08-19. 2023-08-21.
  43. Web site: Tatupu happy to get chance to fight Parker. Stuff NZ. 2013-09-29. 2023-08-21.
  44. Web site: Boxing: Boxer focused despite 1m distractions. New Zealand Herald. 2013-10-09. 2023-08-21.
  45. Web site: Boxing: Parker due back in NZ. New Zealand Herald. 2023-08-21.
  46. Web site: Minto: Team Parker Scared as Hell With Testing Demands. Boxing Scene. 2014-06-18. 2023-08-21.
  47. Web site: Broken nose no bar to tough-guy Brian Minto. Stuff NZ. 2014-06-27. 2023-08-21.
  48. Web site: Spithill comes out swinging. New Zealand Herald. 2023-08-21.
  49. Web site: Punch-up for TV bad girl. Manawatu Standard. 2015-11-05. 2023-08-29.
  50. Web site: Respected Kiwi boxing coach Chris Martin, who worked with David Tua and Joseph Parker, dies. Stuff News. 2023-08-21. 2023-08-21.
  51. Web site: Chris Martin died, NZ boxing coach and trainer passed away unexpectedly, cause of death & Obituary. Micro Topics. 2023-08-21. 2023-08-21.
  52. Web site: JOE THWAITES SHEILD Coach of The Jameson Belt Winner National Championships. Boxing New Zealand. 2023-08-29.
  53. Web site: JAMESON BELT ON THE LINE IN CHRISTCHURCH. Boxing New Zealand. 2018-09-20. 2023-08-29.

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