Gulas: Martz looking to keep improving

At 6-feet-7 1/2, Daniel Martz looks more like a basketball player than a boxer.

Looks, however, can be deceiving.

When the Clarksburg, W.Va., native takes on Jonathan Hamm of Atlanta as the swing bout of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” this week, all manager Pat Nelson and trainer Jack Loew care about is that he continues his boxing development in his fight at historic Rockingham Park in Salem, N.H.

After suffering a controversial split decision to undefeated Joshua Tufte (12-0) on April 20 for the vacant NABA heavyweight title, Martz (8-1-1, 6 KOs), rebounded with an eight-round unanimous decision over former IBF title challenger Rubin Williams (29-17) of Detroit on July 3 at the Serbian-American Cultural Center in Weirton, W.Va.

Loew feels Martz is on track in his professional development.

“Daniel is a diamond in the rough and a fighter dedicated to training and getting better. He’s a large man with a lot of talent who really has no amateur experience,” Loew said. “He listens to everything you say, but is still learning the game and this fight with Hamm will tell us a lot about his maturation professionally.”

Hamm (7-1, 5 KOs), who is just a half-inch shorter than Martz, was the top-ranked amateur super heavyweight in the United States after winning the 2011 U.S. Nationals.

He was also a Golden Gloves champion as well and an alternate in the super heavyweight division of the 2012 London Olympic Games for the United States.

The Atlanta native and current Los Angeles resident most recently defeated Andrae Carthon five weeks ago, winning an eight-round unanimous decision in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Martz is looking forward to both the challenge as well as the exposure that comes with a televised fight.

“Training in Youngstown over the last several months has really improved my performance in my last several fights. This nationally televised opportunity is a huge step in my pro career,” Martz said. “I greatly look forward to competing on ESPN2 [this] Friday against another highly-touted prospect in Jonathan Hamm.”

Nelson has a knack for getting the maximum amount of exposure for his fighters.

He’s led four boxers to world title fights, including Billy Lyell (25-11, 5 KOs) of Niles, a former IBF middleweight title challenger.

Other title contenders that Nelson has represented include former WBO cruiserweight title challenger Brian Minto (37-6) of Butler; former WBO lightweight title challenger Michael Clark (45-8) of Columbus and former WBO light heavyweight title challenger Tommy Karpency (21-4).

“Hamm is a pedigree fighter and this is a monumental task for Daniel. While most people would think that this is way too much, way too soon in Daniel’s development, I have a very good feeling about this fight,” Nelson said. “Based on Martz’s size, ability and stylistic matchup, I have all the faith that Jack will have Daniel prepared and as ready as possible for this bout.

“If Daniel Martz loses this crucial television fight, I will take all of the responsibility.”

Highlighting the card is a 10-round main event featuring the WBC No. 3-ranked junior welterweight Olusegun Ajose (31-1, 14 KOs), who will take on longtime lightweight contender “Hammerin” Hank Lundy (22-3-1, 11 KOs).

In the co-feature, undefeated Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski (16-0, 3 KOs) and Miguel “Mikito” Soto (11-0, 11 KOs) put their unblemished records on the line in an eight-round super featherweight showdown.

The six-round swing bout can take place anytime from 9 to 11 p.m.

Greg Gulas covers combat sports for The VIndicator. Email him at sports@vindy.com.