Martyn Ford has put on 25lb since stepping on the scales ahead of his cancelled fight with Iranian Hulk in April.
Ford was set to make his maiden boxing appearance after months of training by settling his rivalry with social media star Iranian Hulk - real name Sajad Gharibi - at London's O2 arena. But the fight was abruptly cancelled after weeks of build-up, with Ford electing to pull the plug on the event after serious concerns for his opponent's physical shape and mental health.
Since the ill-fated showdown was abandoned, Ford has yet to find himself a replacement opponent and has currently suspended his boxing training programme to focus on his film career and normal fitness regime. Ford has now displayed a much larger frame in his most recent social media post having starred in Netflix series The Sandman.
He wrote on Instagram: "154 KG / 340lb. It’s incredible what a happy mind can do, the last few months, my food has been off (difficultly living in a hotel room), training has been consistent but it’s been in a commercial gym with no training partner. Work has been amazing but extremely tough physically and sleep deprived.
"However I have been so happy, so great full and had absolutely zero stress while I’ve been here. And my god it shows in my results. Not only that, having a clear focus and a solid purpose to train. Bulgaria has been amazing for me, for so many reasons, appreciate each and everyone of you who has added to this incredible experience."
While posting an update prior to his meeting with Gharibi, Ford had shown off a lean physique on Instagram in which he weighed 25lb lighter, with the caption: "Weighed in this morning at 143kg. "Feel amazing in the lead up to this fight, still powerful, explosive and working hard on speed. Time to step it up even more now, no letting up, I will be the best version of me, no matter what, I will be ready."
Do you want to see Martyn Ford fight Thor Bjornsson? Let us know in the comments section below
Gharibi went on to show exactly why Ford was concerned being stopped in the first round by Kazakh Titan in his first boxing appearance, which made the British star's fate seem like a lucky escape. However it now leaves his own fighting future unclear, despite talks having been held with Thor Bjornsson's team over a potential fight.
Ford has revealed that there are issues between Bjornsson and his friend Eddie Hall from their previous fight that are preventing any clash from taking place this year. "I want to do the fighting because I want to shut people up," Ford said during an appearance on the Disruptors podcast with Rob Moore.
"I only need one fight. The Thor fight has been offered, but the problem with that is that there are still issues with the fight between him and Eddie that need to be resolved. It's just finances and bulls***."
