Kid Galahad has vowed to leave nothing to chance when he makes the first defence of his IBF featherweight title against veteran Kiko Martinez in Sheffield on Saturday.
The 31-year-old found himself on the wrong end of a contentious split decision in his first bid for the same title against his Yorkshire rival Josh Warrington in June 2019.
And with his notoriously awkward style not always finding favour with officials, Galahad says he has consciously changed his approach as he prepares to face the 35-year-old Spaniard.
“It just made me realise I have to always make sure my opponent doesn’t hear the final bell.
“The name of the game is to hit and not get hit, you shouldn’t take risks when you don’t need to but I am at a point where I am making sure I beat guys in a clear fashion.
“I am no longer giving the judges the chance to give a close round to my opponents.”
In contrast Warrington is now belt-less after a shock loss and a technical draw against Mauricio Lara, but Galahad is in no mood to be smug about their reversal in fortunes.
“It would be like knocking a guy down in a fight and hitting him while he’s on the floor,” said Galahad. “There is no need, it is unnecessary.
“Josh got the decision against me, I believe I won the fight and he knows I should have won the fight and that is all that matters.
“Hopefully, somewhere down the line, we get that fight on again but both my eyes are on Kiko for now.”
