Charles Martin Bio
Charles Lee Martin, widely known by his ring name Prince Charles, is an American professional boxer who has competed in the heavyweight division since 2012. Born on April 24, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri, he rose through the professional ranks with a powerful southpaw style and an impressive knockout rate. Martin captured the IBF heavyweight title in 2016, becoming a world champion in the sport’s most prestigious weight class.
Although his 85-day championship reign was the second-shortest in heavyweight boxing history at the time, Martin’s journey from a late amateur start to a world title has defined his career. With a record built on devastating punch power, he has remained active in the heavyweight division well into the 2020s.
Early Life and Background
Charles Lee Martin was born on April 24, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri, where he spent his early childhood. After the age of 12, he relocated with family to Colorado Springs and later to Phoenix, two cities that would shape his formative years. The transitions during his adolescence exposed him to different environments as he transitioned into early adulthood.
At the age of 14, Martin began working in construction, developing the discipline and physical conditioning that would later support his boxing career. He became a father at a young age, an experience that gave him additional focus and motivation. Despite the responsibilities of early fatherhood, his interest in combat sports eventually led him toward boxing.
Path to Boxing
Martin took up boxing at the age of 22, a notably late start for a future professional. He competed as an amateur, compiling 64 amateur fights over a short period. During that time, he captured the 2011 US National PAL Championships in Toledo in the super-heavyweight division and followed it up with another PAL title in 2012 in Mesquite. He also won the 2012 Golden Gloves tournament, cementing his amateur credentials before turning professional.
His late start and rapid rise through the amateur ranks suggested considerable untapped potential. The PAL Championships and Golden Gloves titles gave him the visibility needed to attract professional management, setting the stage for his transition to the paid ranks in late 2012.
Charles Martin Career
Early Career (2012–2013)
Charles Lee Martin turned professional on October 27, 2012, and wasted little time making an impression. He made his television debut on ESPN on July 19, 2013, stopping Aaron Kinch in the fourth round by technical knockout. Just over two months later, he handed previously undefeated Vincent Thompson his first loss by unanimous decision, going on to drop Thompson in the first round. He then dispatched Dieuly Aristilde in the first round before becoming the first fighter to ever stop Joey Dawejko.
Fighting 11 times in 2013, Martin closed his rookie year with a knockout win over previously undefeated Cuban Glendy Hernandez. His busy schedule allowed him to build experience quickly and demonstrated the kind of finishing power that would become his trademark as a professional.
Rise Up the Ranks (2014–2015)
On April 16, 2014, Charles Martin won the vacant WBO–NABO heavyweight title by stopping Alexander Flores in the fourth round. He defended the regional belt several times over the following eighteen months, beating journeymen such as Rafael Pedro and Kertson Manswell in short order. Each of these wins extended a lengthy knockout streak and built his case for a world-title opportunity.
His biggest profile fight of the stretch came on April 25, 2015, on the undercard of Klitschko–Jennings at Madison Square Garden, where he knocked out Britain’s Tom Dallas in one round with a straight left hand. Martin’s final defense of the WBO–NABO title came on September 25, 2015, against Vicente Sandez at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, ending the fight in round three. The run left him ranked high enough to be considered for a major title shot.
IBF Heavyweight Champion (2016)
When Tyson Fury was stripped of the IBF heavyweight title, the organization ordered a bout between Vyacheslav Glazkov and Charles Martin for the vacant championship. The fight took place on January 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with Martin earning a purse of $433,300. He claimed the title in the third round after Glazkov suffered a torn ACL, becoming a world champion.
For his first title defense, Martin traveled to The O2 Arena in London on April 9, 2016, to face rising British star and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua. Joshua dropped Martin twice in the second round, and the referee counted Martin out. The 85-day reign was the second-shortest in heavyweight history. Critics questioned Martin’s ambition in the fight, but he later attributed the loss to pre-fight distractions and being mentally absent.
Post-Title Career (2017–2026)
Charles Martin returned to the ring on April 25, 2017, stopping Byron Polley in the second round in Tunica, Mississippi. Wins over Michael Marrone, Gregory Corbin, and Daniel Martz followed, restoring his knockout credentials. In September 2018, he shared a thrilling 10-round battle with Adam Kownacki on Showtime, losing a narrow unanimous decision that earned praise from fans and pundits.
On February 22, 2020, he stopped Gerald Washington in six rounds on the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II undercard, re-establishing himself as a contender. Losses followed to Luis Ortiz in January 2022 and to Jared Anderson in July 2023. He then faced Efe Ajagba at Meta Apex in Enterprise, Nevada, on February 15, 2026, losing by stoppage in the fourth round.
Style and Strengths
Charles Martin fights from a southpaw stance, using a powerful straight left hand as his primary weapon. His finishing instinct has been a defining characteristic, with 27 of his 30 professional wins coming by knockout. Tall at 6 ft 5 in with an 80-inch reach, he uses his physical advantages to keep opponents at distance and generate leverage on his power shots.
Notable Events and Milestones
His crowning moment came in January 2016 when he won the IBF heavyweight title. The second-shortest reign in heavyweight history, ending against Anthony Joshua at The O2 Arena, remains a defining chapter of his career. His 2018 battle with Adam Kownacki was widely considered a leading candidate for round of the year.
Charles Martin Career Wins
Charles Lee Martin has compiled 30 professional wins, with 27 coming by knockout and the remainder by stoppage, reflecting one of the highest finishing rates in the modern heavyweight division. His knockouts have come across the United States, with notable victories during his rise up the regional ranks and his return to contention after losing the IBF title.
WBO–NABO Title Highlights
Martin’s most significant sustained run as a champion came with the WBO–NABO heavyweight title, which he won in April 2014 and defended four times. Title defenses against Raphael Zumbano Love, Tom Dallas, and Vicente Sandez showcased his power. The defenses against regional champions built his case for the world-title opportunity that arrived in 2016.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his regional title reign, Charles Martin has recorded signature wins over Vincent Thompson, Joey Dawejko, Glendy Hernandez, Byron Polley, and Gerald Washington. His 2017 to 2020 stretch included several first- and second-round finishes, underscoring his finishing instincts. The 2018 showdown with Adam Kownacki, though a loss, stood as one of the most entertaining heavyweight bouts of that year.
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Charles Martin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Charles Martin grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, before moving to Colorado Springs and later Phoenix after the age of 12. He took up construction work at 14 to support himself, an experience that built his work ethic. The moves across several states during his formative years shaped his resilient character before he turned to boxing.
Personal Life
Martin became a father at a young age and has four children, all sons. His early family responsibilities coincided with his late entry into the sport, fueling his drive to succeed as a professional. In August 2016, he was shot in Los Angeles during an alleged altercation and underwent surgery for a wound to his forearm before being released from the hospital days later.
2025 Season Performance
Charles Martin remained active inside the heavyweight division throughout 2025, continuing his post-title veteran run on the sport’s biggest stages. He continued to position himself as a tested gatekeeper for rising contenders, taking on short-notice opportunities that kept his name in the heavyweight mix. His experience and punching power made him a recognizable opponent for prospects looking to build their resumes.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, Martin was already scheduled to face Efe Ajagba on February 15, 2026, at Meta Apex in Enterprise, Nevada. The booking showed promoters’ continued confidence in his drawing power, even after the second-shortest title reign in heavyweight history. He has expressed ongoing ambitions to reclaim a world title and position himself in another major fight.
With his southpaw style, 27 career knockouts, and track record of competing on premier cards, Charles Martin remained a familiar presence in the heavyweight rankings entering 2025. The veteran continued to chase the form that once made him IBF champion, using each outing to extend his career in one of boxing’s most demanding divisions.