Former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs) will make his comeback on November 16 against journeyman Matthew McKinney (17-8-3, 13 KOs) at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, California. Now 38, Martin is hoping to revive his career after a unanimous decision loss to rising prospect Jared Anderson in July 2023. Known for his powerful southpaw jab and heavy left hand, Martin faces an uphill journey in an increasingly competitive heavyweight division.
This fight against the 43-year-old McKinney, who ranks well outside the top 100, is more of a stay-busy matchup than a stepping stone to title contention. For Martin, this bout serves as an opportunity to shake off ring rust and assess his standing in the division. Although McKinney’s record is unremarkable, his role as a test for Martin’s current form is critical for the former champion, who hasn’t secured a significant win since his 2020 stoppage of Gerald Washington.
Watch Martin vs. Anderson highlights: Watch
Martin's career has seen its share of highs and lows. After winning the IBF heavyweight title in 2016 by stopping Vyacheslav Glazkov, Martin’s reign was quickly derailed by a devastating second-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. Since then, he’s experienced moments of resurgence but has also struggled against elite fighters, including a sixth-round TKO loss to Luis Ortiz in 2022, where he briefly displayed his old power by scoring an early knockdown before being stopped.
With the heavyweight landscape shifting rapidly, Martin faces significant challenges in reasserting himself as a serious contender. His age, combined with recent losses, suggests that his window for a final title run is closing. A dominant win over McKinney would demonstrate he still has the skill to compete, while a lackluster performance could signal the end of his aspirations for another shot at glory.
Fight card:
▪️Charles Martin vs. Matthew McKinney, 8 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Jalan Walker vs. Andrew Rodgers, 6 rounds, lightweight
▪️Jacob Macalolooy vs. Jose Marruffo, 6 rounds, welterweight
▪️Jett Blackwell vs. Robert Salinas, 6 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Malikai Johnson vs. Juan Centeno, 6 rounds, featherweight
▪️Abraham Lozano Garcia vs. TBA, 4 rounds
▪️Kevin Montano vs. TBA, 4 rounds, lightweight
