January 16th will see unbeaten heavyweights Vyacheslav Glazkov (21-0-1, 13 KOs) of the Ukraine and Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) of the U.S. square off. The match is scheduled for 12 rounds and the vacant IBF heavyweight title of the world. The bout will be the co-feature to the main event between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder defending against Artur Szpilka. The card will take place at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York. Both bouts will be aired on Showtime.
Sometimes in boxing timing can be so important. This is not only in the physical aspect during a boxing match but the business side as well. This is very evident in the fight between Glazkov and Martin. Glazkov was the mandatory to fight Wladimir Klitschko. Last month Klitschko lost his titles to unbeaten Tyson Fury. This left Fury with the obligation to fight Glazkov but Fury has a mandated automatic rematch clause by contract to fight Klitschko. The IBF then stripped Fury and mandated Glazkov to fight for the vacant title against the next available contender which was Martin.
This actually is probably the best case scenario that either Glazkov or Martin could want in terms of fighting for their first world title. Neither guy would have been given much of a chance against Klitschko. Martin has good size at 6′ 5″ compared to that of 6′ 3″ for Glazkov. Martin is also a southpaw giving him one more possible advantage in his favor vs. Glazkov. Martin also seems to be by far the bigger puncher. Glazkov has a major advantage in experience both as an amateur where he medalled in the Olympics or professional over Martin. Each guy and their teams should go into the fight feeling pretty good about their chances of leaving that night with the heavyweight championship of the world.
