Middleweight contender Matthew Macklin returns to action in Marbella next month as he kicks off a 3 fight plan that he believes will lead to World title glory. The former Irish, British and European Champion and three time World title challenger will headline an MGM Promotions black tie dinner event at the H10 Andalucía Plaza Hotel in Puerto Banús on August 28th with two further outings planned before the end of the year.
Macklin had considered hanging up his gloves following a defeat to Jorge Sebastian Heiland in Dublin last year but returned to winning ways in May with a second round stoppage win in Birmingham. Now he is looking to build on that win ahead of a fourth assault on a World title early next year.
“I really want to build some momentum between now and the end of the year and get three solid wins under my belt”, said Macklin. “That will give me a great base to push for a World title shot early next year. The fight in Marbella will kick that off and then I’m looking to fight in Birmingham in Octoberand then maybe back in Ireland before the end of the year.
“I seriously thought about retiring after the disappointment of the Heiland fight but when I looked back at it I had been in the gym all of last year. A number of fights fell through for a variety of different reasons but I had gone through long training camps for those fights and by the time the Heiland fight came around I was burned out. I felt great for three rounds and then it was like somebody pulled the plug and I really think it was a case of being overtrained and having nothing left on the night.
“It was good to get back in there in May and put the Heiland fight to bed. It was basically an exercise to get back in the gym and see how I felt, get back in the ring and get a win and it ticked all those boxes and I felt good. Now I want to stay busy and stay active in the ring as well as being in the gym. It’s mentally and physically draining being in the gym constantly and having fights fall through or not having a definite date but when you know when you’re fighting it’s really gives you that edge and drive and you can see what you are building towards.”
Having taken on three of the biggest names in the sport in world title bids against Felix Sturm, Sergio Martinez
