Charles Martin rules out retirement in the near future

Charles Martin's quest to return to the top of the heavyweight division took a major blow on New Year's Day after being knocked out by the 42-year-old Cuban veteran Luis Ortiz.

While a loss like this can often lead to fighters contemplating their professional boxing career, Martin has no plans to stop anytime soon according to this manager Mike Borao.

"Retirement is not a consideration," Borao told Sky Sports. 

"Charles was winning the fight comfortably and got caught with a perfect punch. As history shows, it can happen to anyone.

"There are plenty of options available to Charles that can reverse the trajectory of his career overnight - Deontay Wilder, Andy Ruiz Jr, Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora or perhaps a rematch with Adam Kownacki.

"There is no doubt Charles is a top 15 heavyweight that is capable of beating anyone on any given night, as he demonstrated this weekend by flooring Ortiz twice and leading on the scorecards."

Borao also cited a long period of inactivity could have played a part in Martin's loss and is expecting the former IBF world heavyweight champion to return in March or April.

"Twenty-three months of inactivity during the pandemic certainly didn't help so Charles will take a deserved vacation with his family and come back with a tune-up bout in late-March or early-April.

"He will make one more run at the title."