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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Fraser Watson

Iranian Hulk offered chance to pull out of Martyn Ford fight

The 'Iranian Hulk' has rejected an offer to withdraw from his heavyweight clash with Martyn Ford.

Ford, dubbed 'The World's Scariest Man', and his bitter rival, were set to finally settle their feud at The O2 area in London on April 2.

After a tempestuous build up, which saw the pair trade numerous verbal blows, things got physical in February when the duo faced off in Dubai, an exchange which saw Ford, dubbed 'The World's Scariest Man', shove his future opponent to the ground.

And now, the volatility is set to last further with the pair having to wait an additional four weeks to trade blows, with the fight now pushed back until April 30.

Names on the undercard at the celebrity boxing event included former Premiership footballer Jamie O’Hara, and Love Island stars Jack Fincham and Theo Campbell, but niggling injuries to several of the participants have caused a delay.

A statement from the organisers read: "Due to injuries, the sporting stars and celebrities on the card are now taking more time to prepare so that the ring will be occupied by fighting fit competitors in the best shape they can be. "

Ford, 39, had been billed as the clear favourite for the fight, with his training videos - including one of him seemingly destabilising a punch machine - notably more impressive than that of the 'Hulk', real name Sajad Gharibi.

But after taking to Instagram to confirm the date change, the Englishman said his opponent was still committed to fighting.

"He has been given the option to back out, but he does not want to back out," said Ford.

"He is 100% adamant that he wants this fight. So trust me, there'll be no soft fight, he knows exactly what he's getting into now, and April 30 - it's going to be a night to remember.

"See you there."

Ford stands at around six feet nine inches tall and is able to weigh around 370 pounds, but is currently down at 315. Gharibi, 30, is only six feet two inches tall - but with an apparent weight advantage at 390 pounds.

Ford has been waiting to settle his rivalry with Gharibi for several years after he initially proposed the bout during his training stint at Polish MMA promotion KSW.

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