Philippines, 13 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Smith Jets Off To Malta, To Prepare Martin For Zilic Showdown On July 12th

PhilBoxing.com


Over the past year or so TRAD TKO supremo Johnny Eames? right hand man, Barry Smith, has been splitting his time between the TRAD TKO Gym in London and the Fight Factory Gym in Malta, where he has been coaching the top Maltese prospects.

On Sunday Barry, who in his relatively short career has coached such luminaries of the sport such as former British Cruiserweight Champion Leon Williams, former Southern Area Lightweight Champion Ben Murphy, as well as current Southern Area Featherweight Champion Ian Bailey and WBU Super Middleweight World Champion Scott Dixon, once more packed his bags and set off to the idyllic Islands.
This time Barry has flown over to prepare WBU International Light Welterweight Champion Steve Martin for his upcoming fight, against Adnan Zilic, at the Greek Theatre, Ta Qali, this coming Friday.

Before setting off Barry spoke briefly about Steve Martin, his upcoming fight and the planned defense of Steve?s WBU title at York Hall, on October 4th.

?Yep, I?m off to Malta again, to train the WBU International Champion Steve Martin.

We?ve got a six rounder coming up on Friday, it?s going to be a good fight for him, he?s improved so much of late. I can see it now, this kid?s a hungry kid.

I bought him over to the TRAD TKO earlier this year for a bit of experience, we had him sparring with the likes of Colin Lynes, Dion Reid, Michael Grant and people like Freddie Turner, you know what I mean, classy fighters.

This is what Stevie needs, good sparring with real prospects, because he wants it more than anyone and he?s prepared to come over from Malta and spar with these guys.

He wasn?t even fazed by these guys, which proved to me just how much he wants this.

Steve Martin?s my boy, he stands out as a real good prospect.

Also there?s another one over there that is beginning to look like a good prospect, he?s another one that will be turning pro with us.

I like bringing the boys over, as they are respectful and they can fight, just they don?t get the chance to spar with quality opponents in Malta at the moment. I?m sure this will change, but at the moment it?s best to bring them to London so we can really test them.

Besides this fight in Malta on Friday, we?ve got Steve coming to London in October to defend his title.
This is fantastic for Steve Martin, also for myself and for the Fight Factory boys, I mean he?ll be coming over to defend his WBU title.

Steve is the real Champion of Malta, as we all know, now we want to bring him over to London and defend his title against guys over here, you know what I mean, we?re not frightened to travel anywhere and we?ll fight anyone.?

Steve Martin versus Adnan Zilic features on the Abner Ablea promoted event at the Greek Theatre, Ta Qali, which is headlined by the professional debut of Heavyweight sensation Billy Corito, against Radenko Kovac, as well as also features WBU Super Middleweight World Champion Scott Dixon in a non-championship battle against Remo Arns, on Friday 12th July 2013.


www.tkoboxinggym.com

Twitter: @TradTkoBoxing




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
    , Sun, 08 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.