Charles Martin Bio
Charles Lee Martin, known in the ring as Prince Charles, is an American professional boxer who has competed at the heavyweight level since turning professional in 2012. Standing 6 ft 5 in tall with an 80 in reach, Martin fights from a southpaw stance and built his reputation on early finishes. He briefly held the IBF heavyweight title in 2016 after stopping Vyacheslav Glazkov, an achievement that defined the most dramatic stretch of his career.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Martin came to professional boxing later than most contenders, beginning his training at the age of 22. Despite the late start, he compiled a record that includes 30 wins, 27 by knockout, against 4 losses and 1 draw across 35 total fights. His blend of height, length, and one-punch power has kept him active in the heavyweight picture for more than a decade.
Early Life and Background
Charles Lee Martin was born on April 24, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up in the city, he later moved to Colorado Springs and then to Phoenix after the age of 12. The frequent relocations shaped a childhood that blended Midwestern roots with time spent in two very different American regions.
From the age of 14, Martin worked in construction to support himself, a job that demanded long hours and physical toughness. He also became a father at a young age, and the responsibility of raising a family influenced his later decision to pursue boxing seriously. Boxing did not enter his life until he was 22, when he stepped into a gym for the first time and discovered a natural aptitude for the sport.
Despite the late introduction, Martin progressed quickly through the amateur ranks. He recorded 64 amateur fights and won the National PAL Championships in 2011 and again in 2012, establishing himself as a super-heavyweight to watch before transitioning to the paid ranks.
Path to Professional Boxing
Martin’s amateur success gave him the foundation to turn professional in late 2012. He made his paid debut on October 27, 2012, and wasted little time making an impression, stringing together knockouts against a series of opponents. Within months, he had earned a reputation as a finisher, with most of his early wins coming inside the distance.
His first television appearance came on ESPN on July 19, 2013, when he stopped Aaron Kinch in the fourth round. Later that year, he upset previously undefeated Vincent Thompson by unanimous decision and became the first man to stop Joey Dawejko. By the end of 2013, Martin had fought 11 times, an unusually busy schedule that accelerated his development and prepared him for regional title contention.
Charles Martin Career
Early Career (2012–2013)
Martin’s opening stretch as a professional was defined by volume and quick finishes. He fought frequently, often against unbeaten or experienced heavyweights, and used each outing to refine his southpaw timing. Wins over Kinch, Thompson, Dieuly Aristilde, Dawejko, and Glendy Hernandez demonstrated both his power and his willingness to travel for opportunities.
By the close of 2013, Martin had built a record filled with knockouts and had shown he could handle a step up in opposition. The groundwork was laid for his entry into regional title fights and his eventual climb toward a world title opportunity.
Rise Up the Ranks (2014–2015)
On April 16, 2014, Martin captured the vacant WBO–NABO heavyweight title by stopping Alexander Flores in the fourth round. He quickly defended the belt against Rafael Pedro, Kertson Manswell, and Raphael Zumbano Love, often ending fights well before the final bell. Each defense added to a knockout streak that stretched through seven consecutive opponents.
His final WBO–NABO title defense came on September 25, 2015, against Vicente Sandez at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Martin dropped Sandez in round 2 and forced the stoppage early in round 3, closing out his run as a regional champion and positioning himself for a shot at a major world title.
IBF Heavyweight Champion (2016)
When Tyson Fury was stripped of the IBF heavyweight title in late 2015, the organization ordered a vacant title fight between Vyacheslav Glazkov and Martin for January 16, 2016, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Martin rose to the occasion, stopping Glazkov in the third round after the challenger tore his right ACL. The victory made Martin the IBF heavyweight champion.
For his first defense, Martin traveled to The O2 Arena in London to face rising British star and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua on April 9, 2016. Joshua dropped Martin twice in the second round with straight right hands, and Martin failed to beat the count on the second knockdown. The defeat ended his reign after just 85 days, the second-shortest in heavyweight boxing history, trailing only Tony Tucker’s 64-day reign in 1987.
Post-Title Career (2017–2020)
Martin returned to action on April 25, 2017, stopping Byron Polley in the second round at Fitzgeralds Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi. He followed that with a first-round knockout of Michael Marrone in Alexandria, Louisiana, on July 18, 2017. Both wins signaled his intent to work his way back into title contention.
On September 8, 2018, Martin faced Adam Kownacki at the Barclays Center in a closely contested ten-round fight that many observers considered a fight of the year candidate. All three judges scored the bout 96–94 for Kownacki, handing Martin a decision loss in his only extended distance fight of this stretch. He bounced back in 2019 with a disqualification win over Gregory Corbin and a TKO of Daniel Martz, then added a sixth-round TKO of Gerald Washington on February 22, 2020, on the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II undercard. The Washington win reaffirmed his status as a live contender in the division.
Driving Style and Strengths
Martin’s style is built around his physical gifts and southpaw stance. At 6 ft 5 in with an 80 in reach, he uses his length to control distance and looks to plant his feet before launching straight left hands and hooks to the body. His timing allows him to set traps for aggressive opponents, and he has finished 27 of his 30 professional wins by knockout, a finishing rate that defines his threat in any matchup.
Notable Events and Milestones
Martin’s career milestones include capturing the IBF heavyweight title in only his 24th professional fight, posting an 85-day reign as champion, and scoring knockouts in title fights against Glazkov and Washington. His ten-round battle with Adam Kownacki in 2018 stands as one of the most entertaining heavyweight bouts of that year and a reminder of his durability and punch output.
Charles Martin Career Wins
Across his professional career, Charles Martin has compiled 30 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw in 35 total fights. Twenty-seven of his victories have come by knockout, a ratio that underscores his identity as a power puncher rather than a decision fighter. His biggest win remains the third-round stoppage of Vyacheslav Glazkov for the vacant IBF heavyweight title in January 2016.
Heavyweight Highlights
Martin’s most significant heavyweight victory came on January 16, 2016, when he claimed the IBF heavyweight title by stopping Vyacheslav Glazkov in the third round at Barclays Center. The performance turned him from a regional champion into a recognized world titleholder and set up his high-profile clash with Anthony Joshua.
He has also recorded notable wins over Gerald Washington, Adam Kownacki (decision loss), Tom Dallas, Raphael Zumbano Love, and Vincent Thompson, along with regional title defenses of the WBO–NABO heavyweight belt. Each of these fights added to a resume that has kept him ranked across sanctioning bodies throughout the late 2010s.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his world title run, Martin captured the WBO–NABO heavyweight title in 2014 and defended it four times before stepping up to challenge for the IBF crown. He also won the National PAL Championships as an amateur in 2011 and 2012, the two amateur honors that helped launch his professional career.
Charles Martin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Charles Martin does not come from a boxing family and took up the sport later than most professional fighters. His path into the ring was shaped less by family ties to the sport and more by personal circumstances, including work in construction from the age of 14 and the responsibilities of fatherhood at a young age.
Personal Life
Martin is a father of four sons, a role he has spoken about as a motivating force throughout his career. He has been linked to St. Louis, Colorado Springs, and Phoenix through his upbringing and training bases, reflecting the cross-country moves that marked his youth. In August 2016, he was reportedly shot in the forearm during an altercation in Los Angeles and underwent surgery before checking out of the hospital several days later.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Charles Martin remains active in the heavyweight division, drawing on a record that includes 30 wins and 27 knockouts. His career has been defined by the ability to rebound from setbacks, as seen after his 2016 loss to Anthony Joshua and his 2018 decision defeat to Adam Kownacki. Each return has produced finishes, suggesting that he continues to pose a power threat against any opponent in the division.
With the heavyweight picture constantly reshaped by sanctioning body rankings, Martin’s experience and finishing ratio keep him in position for meaningful matchups. A late-career push toward another world title opportunity would require a string of statement wins, but his knockout pedigree and durable frame make him a credible opponent for any contender. Outlook through 2025 centers on his ability to land signature fights and convert them into finishes, much as he did against Glazkov and Washington.