Martin acknowledged that he and Hitchins have exchanged words in the past, but emphasized that their competitive relationship is grounded in positioning rather than hostility. That distinction matters in a division where undefeated fighters often circle each other publicly without committing to a collision.
“That’s what I want,” Martin said to Lalos Boxing when asked about facing Hitchins. “We didn’t have words. The first time we ran into each other afterwards. Then we saw each other again and had words. But I feel like that’s going to be a cordial type of match. Whenever we do fight, it’ll be cordial. We’re going to talk and do all that. But on my end, ain’t no animosity.”
Professional Path Forward
Martin’s language reflected acceptance rather than provocation. He did not frame Hitchins as a personal threat or target, but as an opponent whose position makes the fight a logical step. Fighters who expect to remain in the title picture typically begin identifying peers they see as part of their competitive path, and Martin’s willingness to speak openly about Hitchins signaled that he views the matchup as realistic rather than hypothetical.
The timing reinforces that interpretation. Hitchins continues to build his standing while Martin works to stabilize his own position following his first professional defeat. Both fighters occupy similar competitive territory, where victories against credible opposition determine who moves closer to a championship opportunity.
Martin’s focus remained grounded in performance rather than rivalry. He described his recent work in camp as a continuation of the adjustments that allowed him to regain his form following his loss, emphasizing that his priority is maintaining his level rather than reacting emotionally to potential opponents.
“It just got to be in a guy,” Martin said. “Some guys can lose and never come back from it. I took a loss. My bounce back game would be a lot more crazy.”
Martin faces Albright on Saturday, a fight that serves as his immediate test. His acknowledgment of Hitchins as the opponent he wants next revealed how he views his own trajectory, identifying the contender he expects to encounter as he works to reestablish himself in the division’s upper tier.
