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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Martyn Ford vs Iranian Hulk fight date, UK start time and undercard

Martyn Ford will finally meet the Iranian Hulk in the boxing ring to settle their rivalry in a heavyweight grudge showdown.

The British star has exchanged verbal jabs with the Iranian Hulk - real name Sajad Gharibi - since 2018, and the pair have now finally agreed to settle their fiery altercations in a heavyweight bout on April 30.

Both Ford and Gharibi have yet to make a ring appearance with Ford having prior experience in MMA training unlike his opponent who has never competed in combat sports. Ford came face-to-face with his rival in the build-up with the pair coming to blows in Dubai during a heated altercation.

A victory for either fighter will help secure bragging rights on the celebrity card with several other high-profile figures featuring on the card including ex-footballers Patrice Evra and Jamie O'Hara.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the bumper heavyweight clash...

When is the fight taking place and what time will it start?

The fight will take place on a rescheduled date of Saturday April 30 at The O2 arena in London.

Fans will be able to begin watching the event at around around 7pm with the main event ring walks expected to take place at around 10pm.

Martyn Ford and Iranian Hulk will clash on April 30 (JULES ANNAN / Avalon)

How to watch on TV and via live stream

Broadcast detail are yet to be announced for the clash and are expected to be confirmed in due course.

The event is likely to be run as a one-off pay-per-view with the price and viewing details set to be announced shortly.

Full fight card

Martyn Ford vs Iranian Hulk

Patrice Evra vs Adam Saleh

Jamie O'Hara vs Kris Boyson

AJ Bunker vs TBA

Ventour vs Jacques Fraser

Keegan Hirst vs Frank London

Brian Rose vs Matt Pritchard

James English vs TBC

Odds

There are currently no available Ford vs Hulk betting odds available but Ford is expected to start as the favourite.

Who do you think will win - Martyn Ford or the 'Iranian Hulk'? Let us know in the comments section below

Rules

The fight between Ford and the 'Iranian Hulk' will take place over four two-minute rounds and the contest has been sanctioned by the Professional Boxing Association.

The fight will take place in a 24ft ring and the pair will be wearing 14oz gloves on the night.

The four two-minute round clash will be scored along the distance by judges who will be ringside for the main event.

Judges will declare a winner after the final bell if there is no stoppage within the four round distance, although knockdowns and knockouts will be scored.

Undercard fights will be scored by the referee in the ring.

Quotes

Martyn Ford: "I am going to be deadly honest, yesterday was the first time we met. I have every intention of ripping his head off when we get in there. That’s nothing against him. I want to put on an incredible performance for everyone coming to watch. 100% I will bring everything to the table but I expect if he is serious about fighting then he gets his a** into gear because I don’t want to disappoint people at the event.

"He is going to knock me out. I have got a weak chin. Oh yeah, do you really want me to answer that? 17 seconds. If he doesn’t find some fire in his stomach and some passion, then you may as well get a second opponent to jump in after him. I don’t think there is going to be a punch that ends it, it is a very difficult question to answer in the sense that it could end in any way I want. That is how confident I am.

“All the dedication, hard work and everything I have put into this, I have sacrificed seeing my wife and my children to prepare for this fight. I just question whether that same dedication has gone in from him and if it hasn’t the actual fight night itself is irrelevant."

Iranian Hulk: “I am very excited for this fight, I will put everything I have got into this for the people of my nation. I have been working on a lot more lighter and flexible workouts whereas before I was doing muscle building workouts. My stamina and heart rate have both improved and I am ready to do the rounds.

"I am just going to stick to what I am doing and focus on that. This is going to be a very difficult night for Martyn. I believe that Martyn has a very weak chin coupled with the fact I have a very strong punch and I believe I am going to knock him out."

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