Martin acknowledged that he and Hitchins had exchanged words in the past, but stressed that their competitive relationship was based on positioning rather than animosity. That distinction matters in a division where undefeated fighters often circle each other in public without committing to a clash.
“That’s what I want,” Martin said Lalos Boxing when asked about the face Hitchins. “We didn’t have words. The first time we ran into each other after that. Then we saw each other again and had words. But I feel like it’s going to be a cordial type of match. Whenever we fight, it’s going to be cordial. We’re going to talk and do everything. But on my side, there’s no animosity.”
Professional way forward
Martin’s language reflected acceptance rather than provocation. He framed Hitchins not as a personal threat or target, but as an opponent whose position made the fight a logical step. Fighters who expect to stay in the title picture typically start identifying peers they see as part of their competitive path, and Martin’s willingness to talk openly about Hitchins indicated that he views the matchup as realistic rather than hypothetical.
The timing reinforces that interpretation. Hitchins continues to build his reputation while Martin works to stabilize his own position after his first professional loss. Both fighters occupy similar competitive territory, where wins against credible opposition determine who moves closer to a championship opportunity.
Martin’s focus remained on performance rather than rivalry. He described his recent work in camp as a continuation of the adjustments that allowed him to regain his form after his loss, stressing that his priority is to maintain his level rather than reacting emotionally to potential opponents.
“It just has to be in a guy,” Martin said. “Some guys can lose and never come back from it. I took a loss. My rebound game will be a lot more crazy.”
Martin faces Albright on Saturday, a fight that serves as his immediate test. His recognition of Hitchins as the opponent he wants next revealed how he views his own trajectory, identifying the contender he expects to face as he works to re-establish himself in the division’s upper echelon.
