Watch: Martin says he was never motivated by money, accuses Azzopardi of cheating his way to win

Steve Martin accused his rival, Elton Azzopardi, of cheating his way to victory during last week’s Fight Island bout in Ta’ Qali, but said that he is pleased that the Malta Boxing Association has assured him they will impose a hydration clause in every fight to be held in Malta.

Martin was beaten by Elton Azzopardi via a second-round Technical Knock Out on Friday after he fractured his eye socket.

The defeat left a sour taste on Martin who was competing in his final fight before retirement.

Martin accused Azzopardi of failing to honour his rehydration agreement after weighing eight kilos heavier for Friday’s match at the Malta Basketball Association pavilion in Ta’ Qali.

In boxing, a rehydration clause is a contractual agreement that limits the amount of weight a fighter can gain between the weigh-in and the fight. 

“I want to start by saying I’m truly sorry to everyone I’ve let down. This is not the way I wanted to end my career. Unfortunately, my coach had to stop the fight due to a fractured eye socket,” Martin said on his social media.

“Cheaters will always find a way to cheat.

“I signed the contract at 68.75kg, with a rehydration limit of 72.5kg for the next day. But I was played by my opponent, his team, and the promotion. I’m a natural 66kg fighter and agreed to move up a few kilos to make this fight happen.

“Never did I imagine he would show up so unprofessionally and with such disrespect for the sport, weighing in at 78kg. That’s light heavyweight territory.

Against all the advice of my team, coaches, and family, I decided to fight anyway. This was my final fight, and I knew how many people had paid good money to come see me one last time.

“I wasn’t even sure if a cancellation would have meant refunds for the fans and that didn’t sit right with me. I’ve always prided myself on showing up, no matter what.

“Many people told me I shouldn’t have stepped into the ring. And looking back, they were right. But in that moment, I believed in myself. I believed in giving the fans the main event they were expecting. When you’re a fighter, the instinct is always to never back down.”

Martin said the decision to proceed with the fight was never motivated by money.

“This was never about money. I would have preferred not to retire like this. But sometimes the sport teaches you tough lessons,” he said.

“If there’s one positive from this experience, it’s this: the Malta Boxing Association reached out the very next day. They’ve committed to implementing a hydration clause in every fight moving forward to ensure this never happens to another fighter.

“To those asking if I’ll ever fight again, the answer is no. As many of you know, we’re due to have a baby in the coming days, and for me, family comes first. That chapter of my life is beginning, and this one is now closed.

“Thank you to everyone who’s supported me through the highs and the lows.”