By Matt Bevan

Commonwealth super lightweight champion John Wayne Hibbert has promised to put Tommy Martin through hell when they clash this Saturday at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Olympic Park.

The meeting will be chief support to George Groves’ return to the ring on Sky Sports. The 31-year-old from Herndon-on-the-Hill has warned that Martin better be ready, as he defends the title he won in September against Dave Ryan.

“I’m prepared for the best of Tommy, which will bring out the best in me,” Hibbert (16-3, 10KOs) told BoxingScene.com. “He better get ready because I’m going to put him through hell on Saturday night. This is a very big fight for him so early on in his career and I’ll test how much heart he has got.

“I’ve been involved in much harder fights than him and come out on top in most, so I’ve been there and done it before, whereas he hasn’t. Training has been fantastic, so I can’t wait to get in there now and do the business.”

Hibbert was behind going into the 10th round against Ryan, against whom he’d suffered two prior defeats. He avoided an infamous three-peat when the Derby slugger suffered an injury, winning the belt at the second attempt.

“I promised my kids I’d win the Commonwealth title in my last fight, which I did against Dave, so I’m not letting go of it easily,” Hibbert states. “Dave was winning, there’s no denying it, but something went wrong and I did what any good fighter would do by capitalising and finishing the fight off.”

The 31-year old Commowealth titlist is a prime example of a fighter who hasn't been handed anything in his career. Hibbert developed under the radar on the UK’s small hall circuit, which he attributes in what has made him a better fighter.

“I’ve done it the hard way, through the small hall shows, where nothing gets handed to you. It took me a while to get noticed, but I was given the opportunity and took it. I love the big cards and I intend to stay there.”

He is also well aware of the opportunities available to the winner of Saturday’s contest although he is adamant he won’t be looking past his young opponent in Martin.

“If I carry on pushing then there are big fights available to me. After I beat Tommy, there will be some good names in the hat, like Danny Connor who’s already said he wants the winner. You can also never forget about a fourth fight with Dave Ryan.”

The super-lightweight division in the UK is highly competitive and Hibbert is hoping to one day fight for the prestigious Lord Lonsdale belt to become the British champion. Of course, it all begins with getting past Martin in front of the Sky Sports cameras this weekend.

“There’s the European title which Ruben Nieto has got it, although he got lucky against Lenny Daws, who should get a rematch. I’d love a chance to fight for the British belt as well, which Tyrone Nurse has got, so there are plenty of fights out there in a cracking division.

“But, I’m fully focused on Tommy and Saturday night. A win will put me right in the mix for these fights, so let’s get the win over Martin and then I’ll concentrate on what happens next.”

Matt Bevan is part of the BoxingScene.com UK news team. Twitter: @MBevs68