Featured UBO Champion: Martin Hillman

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JUNE 16, 2023 / BY BY UBO PRESS OFFICER

Now with a 16-6 (2) record, coming off six straight victories and his biggest win to date, he is at the height of his career so far.

But it was not always glory and arms raised for the 32-year-old, as he started out losing his pro debut to journeyman Pavel Senkovs back in November of 2013.

He won his next three after that, but then lost to another opponent he was expected to beat, Michael Stupart, in the summer of 2015.

Back to the drawing-board, he won five before venturing up to Super Featherweight for a clash against unbeaten prospect Boy Jones Jr (10-0-1) for the BBBofC Southern Area title.

Clearly not his weight-class, Hillman tried his best but lost on points. An experience richer, he had taken an opportunity to make a break-through but came up short.

He rebounded with a win, but then lost to Jamie Speight for the Souther Area Featherweight title, defeated Ghanaian Michael Barnor but then lost close decisions to Tom McGinley (4-1) in a non-title bout and to Duane Winters (9-1) for the Southern Area Super Bantamweight title.

At 10-6, and with losses in three of his last four, Hillman looked on a road to nowhere. But those who followed him closely knew that he had boxed at the wrong weights, and that he had plenty more to offer.

So after five rebuilding victories he put on what he describes as the best performance of his career when he decisioned former UBO All-Africa titlist Julias Kisarawe (34-8-1) on April 15 to be recognized as the new UBO Inter-Continental Bantamweight king.

He never gave up on himself and his career, and now he has the hardware to prove he is finally a champion, and a perfect example for young boxers around the world that belief, patience and persistence is key!