Martin Reffell Eyes Carnage in Scott McHugh Rematch for BKB 51 Title Eliminator
Martin Reffell is ready for a high-stakes, intriguing rematch against Scott McHugh in the co-main event of BKB 51 on February 21st. When discussing this sequel clash and touching upon the magnitude of the matchup, Reffell said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah. So, it is a title eliminator. Everything’s going smoothly. Camp’s gone really well. Yeah. No, it’s a good one. The rematch is something I’ve always wanted. I took the last one on three days notice. Makes no difference for this one. It’s been such a long time.”
“We’ve both changed, both kind of moved forward from that. So, this rematch means more than most of the fights I’ve had. As for the title eliminator, obviously Paulie’s now fighting Rolando. So, probably the winner of us will get the winner of them. So, yeah, see how it goes.”
A big variable from the first fight, as compared to this one, is that Reffell actually has a full camp for this fight. When expressing how this contest is being looked at as one where McHugh is going to get the full Martin Reffell this time out, Reffell stated [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah. So, you know, the last time was took on short notice, took on a Wednesday, fought on the Saturday. This fight I’ve kind of dedicated. I know what I got last time. I know what was there last time and I know what was missing last time. So, I’ve kind of worked on what I need to work on, but I’ve also took into account that he has changed, his style has changed, his work rate has changed. He’s also been through a lot.”
“So, you know, it’s going to be a different fight, but it’s going to be the same carnage outcome that it was. So, you know, the outcome is hopefully going to go my wa this time. That’s what I’m aiming for. That’s what I’ve worked for. But you know me, I don’t predict a win. I don’t predict what’s going to happen. I just predict there’ll be blood, violence, and entertainment. That’s what I plan to give.”
The longer time bare knuckle fans have a lot to be excited for with this rematch, with the promotion getting back to Indigo at the O2 for the first event at that venue since the merger happened with the former BYB, now the amalgamated BKB entity. When expounding upon his thoughts regarding both McHugh fights taking place at the same venue, which is so well entrenched in BKB’s history, Reffell quipped [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah, listen, I kind of wanted the O2 as soon as they said they were coming back to the O2. Like, I started at the O2. You know, the O2 is a great venue. It’s the capital of my country. I enjoy the city. So, yeah, it means a lot to me to be on this show. You know, I didn’t want to be coming down in weight again. You know, the last two fights I went down in weight to this super welterweight and then I’ve gone up to middleweight or super middleweight, you know.”
“I kind of said to him, look, I want to fight at middleweight and I want to fight at my own weight. I want to fight for my number one spot. I picked out a fighter and said to him, “Look, this is a potential good fight. What do you say? Can you arrange it?” The person that I picked out didn’t want to fight at the beginning of the year. So, they come back to me and went, “What’s it going to take for you to come down in weight? We’ve got nothing at middleweight, not for your level.” And I was like, “I don’t really want to come down.””
“And then they mentioned Scott McHugh and I couldn’t turn it down, you know? So, I’ve had to cut quite a lot of weight for this fight, but I’ve done it right. Aaron McCallum’s been absolutely perfect on my nutrition. I’m pretty much spot on weight where I need to be without having to do a major cut and major drain. Still be able to to put the weight back on after the weigh in. So, it’s gone well. You know, Scott’s getting what’s coming and I’m ready for carnage as he will be as well.”
“Got a lot of love for Scott, a lot of respect for the man. He’s been through a lot of trouble recently with his daughter, bless her. I’m glad she’s coming through it all. But at the end of the day, this is business. No matter how much love I’ve got for somebody, like I’ve said to anybody, they could put my brother in the ring and I’d still go toe-to-toe and pull out as much carnage and blood as I’ve done before. So, yeah.”
Martin Reffell: ” I want blood, and I want violence” at BKB 51
When articulating his thoughts on the mutual respect component here, but in a way where the two are still going to put on a barn burner of a fight, Reffell said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah. Listen, I’ve got respect for any man that gets into that ring. I’ve got no hatred for anybody, even the ones that want to try and s**t talk and blabber their mouths off, you know. I ain’t got time for it, you know, and I only show everybody respect. Takes a lot of heart and a lot of courage to get into that ring in the first place. There’s no reason to start disrespecting a man. Obviously if the hate, the love weren’t back and, you know, weren’t given back.”
“You know, it’s not something I’d turn into hate or anything like that. Like I say, I’m not that type of man. I just want to fight. I want a good fight. I want blood and I want violence. And, you know, I want it in the right way. I want it in controlled, you know? And that’s what this is. It’s my way of letting go all my emotions and putting them in the right direction so they don’t explode.”
