The city's bare knuckle boxer must dodge blows from his fiancée and his opponent in a must-win fight
Martin Reffell could be dodging blows from his coach as well as his opponent later this month.
The Peterborough bare knuckle boxer says he’s fighting for his future in the sport when he meets Liam Howell in London on Saturday, July 25.
Reffell – who has a win over current world light-middleweight champion Rolando Dy – has lost his last three fights – but says he dare not lose again this month.
In his corner is his fiancée Sadie Graver, a fighter herself who is expecting their second baby in December.
Reffell said: “Sadie is a fiery woman and I’m sure the TV people will mic her up to say what she says to me! She isn’t afraid to give me a slap when I need it.
“Sadie has knowledge of the sport, sees things other people don’t see and has that drive inside her to push me on. If I’m dropping in energy or not at my best I will get a telling off to wake me up.
“Sadie is the only person on the planet who can get through to me and get more out of me during a fight. We both know I have to win. In gloved boxing, three straight defeats would probably mean the end. Bareknuckle is different, but still, I have a point to prove.”
Reffell says he is friends with Howell after sparring with him, but said: “It makes no difference. I need to win. I usually go into fights hoping for a five-round war – but this time I want an early night.”
Reffell puts his recent losses to jumping between weights and says he’s driven on by the love of the sport and a desire to inspire his children.
Between them, Reffell and Graver have six daughters and he added: “I’m fighting for our kids. I want to show them that if you want something badly enough, you will keep pushing. If you lose, you pick yourself up and keep going.”