By Allen Payne
Dumbarton boxer Martin Harkin said it felt great to be back in the ring after defeating Ukrainian Vitalii Maksymiv in Glasgow.
Harkin featured as the main event at St Andrew’s Sporting Club’s rearranged Burns Night event at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu hotel earlier this month, entering the ring for the first time since suffering only his second defeat to Kaisee Benjamin live on Channel 5 in a British welterweight championship eliminator last May.
A strong start against Maksymiv saw Martin, who is the son of former professional boxer Robert Harkin, see off his opponent just one minute and three seconds into the third round.
And the 29-year-old admitted that he was pleased with the result against formidable opposition. He said: “It felt great to be back – my opponent had only been stopped once before so I am delighted with the outcome.”
Harkin started the opening rounds well with his solid jab and ability to unleash powerful combinations when the opportunity presented itself pushing his opponent back to the ropes.
Maksymiv would respond with big single shots – hoping to deter the home fighter from the assaults, however it would prove to be a fruitless tactic.
The powerful Ukrainian bounced out for the third round hoping to push Harkin back from the get go, however the Scotsman was more than happy to exchange and made him pay the price with a big right hand that sent his opponent to the canvas.
Although Maksymiv returned to his wobbly legs, referee Kevin Mcintyre waved the contest off just one minute and three seconds into the third round.
The victory also marked Martin’s first fight since appointing Scottish boxing legend Gary Jacobs as his head coach.
Jacobs is a former British, Commonwealth and European champion who headlined shows in Las Vegas and New York – with Martin detailing what the veteran has brought to his game.
He said: “Gary has been nothing but a benefit to my attitude and mindset – he’s brought the best out in me.
“He gives me an added confidence heading into fights as he’s been at a level some fighters can only dream of.
“Not only that, I’ve had Kash Farooq in the gym, giving me tips and some of the punches that made him such a great fighter.
“Now, I just can’t wait for the next one.”
