Taken from VIPBoxing.com Martyn Grainger - Long overdue, September 17th Manchester Velodrome By Jamie Albrecht For Heywood Cruiserweight Martyn Grainger, the road on which his boxing career travels along has been littered with many hazards. The latest of these came in a losing effort to 2008 Olympian David Price in a contest that could be said to have arrived somewhat prematurely for a developing fighter who has only boxed in 5 professional bouts previously and whose natural weight is the much lighter cruiserweight limit. With such a thought in mind, it is probably safe to assume that a win for Grainger against hard punching Yorkshire-man John Anthony on the Long Overdue undercard at the Manchester Velodrome on September 17th carries with it the weight of redemption, as Grainger looks to make his first night under Steve Woods VIP promotions banner a successful one. Grainger, who was previously managed by Salford trainer Oliver Harrison, stated that his move to the VIP boxing stable was motivated in part by his two previous losses; he was quick to express his admiration for the Olivers Gym boss as a trainer despite the switch; No disrespect to Oliver at all, hes a good trainer, you only have to look at what hes done for a fighter like (former EBU Light-Middleweight champion) Jamie Moore to see that. I just feel I was matched to soon against people like David Price, which I feel I wasnt ready for. A fight at cruiserweight, which is what the Anthony fight represents for Grainger, will be a welcome relief for the fighter who as a heavyweight, clearly struggled with the weight advantaged he was giving away to a much larger man like Price as well as a combination of ability and experience. He attributes much of the recent trouble he has had in the ring to over matching. He felt that I shouldnt have even been in the ring with Price as Im a cruiserweight naturally and also not ready to operate at that level. When asked about the Anthony fight next Friday night, Grainger remained optimistic that he can get the win and get his career back on track in its early stages. I know hes got power (5 KOs from 7 wins) but I feel my speed will be too much for him, I know Im quicker and I think thatll help me beat him. In terms of his recent affiliation with VIP, Grainger commented that this could be the way forward for his career and it will hopefully signal a change in form for the better, allowing him to relax and effectively go about his boxing against suitable opposition. John Anthony is the springboard to redemption and a hopefully invigorated cruiserweight in Martyn Grainger will take the chance with both fists.
