Martin Gethin still considering boxing on
Walsall's Martin Gethin is already considering boxing again despite his title aspirations taking a severe hit at the weekend.
Gethin was thwarted in his efforts to win an eliminator for the Commonwealth super lightweight crown in the division where he now campaigns,
The former British lightweight champion was hoping the opportunity would nudge him back towards a crack at the Lonsdale belt.
But he suffered a third round knockout loss at the hands of Adam Little at the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool on Saturday night.
A stiff right hand to the body put him down and he remained on the canvas, with referee Steve Gray calling for the finish.
It's only the second time the 32-year-old has been stopped by a body shot in 35 bouts over nearly 12 years as a professional.
Only the heavy-handed Ammeth Diaz, in a final eliminator for the IBF world lightweight title, left him unable to beat the count through a body blow in 2013.
That fight came at Walsall Town Hall and Gethin now wants to box in his hometown again, in a keep-busy contest as he reviews what options are left for him.
He's already coaching aspiring fighters alongside brothers Darren and Steven, both ex-professionals, at their Wild Star Boxing Club in Aldridge.
He said: "It's always been my plan to train the next generation of boxers in Walsall, I'm just sure I'm ready to give up boxing just yet. You are a long time retired when the time comes.
"I'm thinking about fighting at home for my next one, so my fans can see me in the ring again and I'll see how I feel after that. Nothing is for certain."
Gethin had always hoped to outwork Little, naturally the big man as a former English champion at welter, in the later rounds.
But he struggled against his opponent's left jab as Little put his hands together, upping the pace with Gethin engaging in the third.
The boxers were battling in the middle of the ring with Gethin getting tagged to the body and head before the killer punch flew into his midriff, leaving him down and unable to make the count.
Gethin added: "I wasn't expecting that, but it was a good shot that would have ended any fight. I just couldn't pull myself together in time.
"I still believe I'd have worn him out as the rounds went on and he was already breathing heavily by the finish. We'll never know now."
