Gethin could box 16 rounds in just two weeks

Martin Gethin is preparing for potentially 16 rounds of action in just 14 days.

The Walsall lightweight [pictured] boxes over ten for the International Masters welterweight belt in Peterborough this Friday [March 9] and then, barring a cut or unexpected defeat, will have a six-rounder in the Black Country on March 23.

Gethin will swap leather with durable and bigger Ivan Godor, a 31-fight Slovakian who's yet to have been halted in his two previous visits to British shores [shut-out points defeats to Karl Place and Tyrone Nurse], for the vacant strap on a Hatton Promotions, YouTube-broadcast card from Cambridgeshire.

Victory against a pony-tailed Eastern European who fights almost a stone heavier will secure the ambitious 28-year-old his fifth belt as a professional [two spells as English 9st 9lbs boss, as well as reigns as Midlands Area and British Masters champion] and set him back on course for a crack at the British title later in the year.

He has his focus locked firmly on champion Anthony Crolla after an injury-hit spell that's limited the heavy-handed West Midlander, 19-3-1 (7), to just a solitary outing in 24 months, a six-round decision over solid Pole Arek Malek at Walsall Town Hall in November. However, his promoter hopes a busy March will shred the rust and force him back into the title picture.

The father of one is penciled in to face another international opponent on the undercard of Shane McPhilbin's British cruiserweight title defence against ex-WBO world champion Enzo Maccarinelli at Wolverhampton Civic Hall and Paul Rowson, who promotes that BoxNation-televised bill, said: "Martin has had a frustrating last two years.

"At the time of his back injury he'd just won the English title for a second time and was in a promising position to make a move on the top men in the division. Since then, though, Martin has been out of action for large periods of time and, outside the Midlands at least, been forgotten about on the domestic lightweight scene.

"But by keeping him active in contests that will test him we hope he'll be back in the mix to get a shot at the Lonsdale Belt, which he's more than capable of winning if he performs to the best of his ability. 

"These next few weeks are going to be crucial for his fighting future," added the Black Country-based promoter.