Martin Gordon makes retirement vow
Brierley Hill's Martin Gordon has vowed his next West Midlands derby will be his last if he loses to Danny Clews at Walsall Town Hall later this month.
Brierley Hill's Martin Gordon has vowed his next West Midlands derby will be his last if he loses to Danny Clews at Walsall Town Hall later this month.
Gordon has been pitted against a fellow West Midlander in seven of his 13 fights so far, but will retire if hometown hero Clews comes out on top on February 26.
There is no more scope for failure if Gordon is to arrest a slide that has seen him lose eight, draw three and win just two since turning professional in October 2006.
But the 28-year-old could yet turn it around having mapped out a plan of Clews then a rematch with Kristian Laight, who he beat by a point in 2009, before targeting Midlands welterweight champion Sean McKervey.
Twice Gordon has unsuccessfully fought for a Masters title but he fancies his chances against McKervey, having beat him three times as an amateur with Lions ABC in Dudley.
However, should Clews - who has had just one pro fight - hand him a ninth defeat, Gordon will hang up his gloves.
He said: "If I am losing to a raw novice, then I shouldn't be in the ring, to be honest. I am not bothered how I do it, a win is a win to me.
"Fair play to Danny Clews for taking the fight but, in my heart of hearts, I think he might have bitten off more than he can chew and I am not expecting to go the distance.
"I know I am better than my record suggests, I just want to win something and, at 28, it's do-or-die."
Clews made his professional debut just last month at Birmingham's Tower Ballrooms, overcoming veteran Matt Seawright on points in a four-rounder taken at short notice.
Gordon was an interested spectator at ringside with the fight between the two at Walsall Town Hall already made, to witness the former Walsall Wood ABC amateur make the step over to the pro game.
It's a bold move for Clews to take on such an experienced - and local - rival at such an early stage of his career but the pressure is not fazing the ice-cool 22-year-old.
He said: "I am not bothered at all, I will just get in there and do what I do. It's a good test and that is what you need to progress.
"I want the good atmospheres and the crowd cheering you on, those are the fights that people remember.
"He fancies it and will come to win but I am confident of beating him, because I know I have got more boxing skill than he has."
For tickets, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
