Martyn Ford nearly ripped a huge weights machine off the floor during a gym workout as he continues to prepare for a potential boxing debut.
The British star was preparing for a heavyweight bow against Iranian Hulk - real name Sajad Gharibi - but the bout was shelved just weeks before the first bell. Ford was extremely frustrated with the news after having followed a strict boxing training plan for six months, but he will continue to train in anticipation of a new date.
Ford has now posted on Instagram footage of himself pulling on a weights machine, with the caption: "Coach: 'OK, we need to work on explosive power, I want you to pull this as hard and as fast as you can'. Don't worry, we will put 80kg a side on, so it will have enough resistance to slow you down. Me: You sure? On the bright side these machines are solid as hell."
With every pull, Ford appeared to lift the weights machine further from the ground despite the huge resistance weight attached. He is seen in the footage using just his left arm as he worked out at the UFC gym in Nottingham.
Ford has claimed he feels "21 again" after losing 58lbs to make his boxing debut originally which was set to take place at London's O2 arena. He has since been left without an opponent after suggesting his rival was to blame for the late cancellation.
The 39-year-old later claimed on social media that the fight was cancelled due to "mental wellbeing" concerns, after Gharibi posted a worrying "wish for death" during the build-up to the clash. The Iranian star also claimed his parents had disowned him after he was sent flying during a heated confrontation at the first face-off in Dubai.
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However Gharibi later came out to deny the claims and called for a replacement opponent, while branding his rival a "coward". interview posted to his YouTube channel, Gharibi said: "I had coronavirus during our Dubai meeting. On face-to-face day I announced this to the organisation [Boxstar], I never used this as an excuse, I did not run away from anything.
"I heard Ford doesn't want to fight, it is not me [and] not any other fighters. I never cancelled any fight between us but he doesn't want see me again! It is against the contract and my legal team have started looking at it.
"I was present with a lung infection and a fever of 40 degrees, it is really embarrassing that the fight is cancelled by a coward. It does not matter to me, I am still in this race. I also told the organisation to put a fighter in front of me, someone who has a fighting spirit.
"Actually 'pretty boy' can't ever fight, he just hides and runs away, he must have a permission from a women first. I can't believe an opponent like him, it's shameful. This victory isn't an honour for me, it's a century joke not a century fight."
