Iranian Hulk has demanded a new opponent after his boxing debut against Martyn Ford was cancelled.
Iranian Hulk- real name Sajad Gharibi- had been preparing to face Ford at London's O2 arena on April 30 but the fight was shelved after having already been rescheduled. Both men have been left without an opponent with Ford suggesting his rival was to blame for the late cancellation.
However Gharibi has hit out at his foe during a social media rant by insisting he was ready to compete in the ring. "From 2010 to 2014 and after I was injured, I stopped powerlifting and started bodybuilding at semi-pro level, and it’s been two years that I’ve been taking self-defence lessons," Gharibi explained during a lengthy rant.
"It’s been also five months that I’ve been practicing boxing. I’ve never pretended to be a boxer, and it’s not been a long time since I started practicing. This is something that the world is judging, it’s truly embarrassing and I’ve never looked for Instagram attention as some say, I don’t need it!
"I was totally ready for the competition and I’ve told Boxstar to replace me ASAP, because I paid high costs, I lost weight, I’ve worked out under inappropriate conditions, to attend that competition and it’s suddenly cancelled! I’m not happy that this has happened, because I've never been seeking for attention because I don’t need it and, well, Ford, who is a third, fourth-hand actor, might be happy.
"I won’t say that for sure and it’s people who can judge. He was seeking attention. I’ve worked at worst conditions, I’ve been away from my family, had no training camp, totally different to Ford. I’ve said before that I don’t fight for money, but I’m sincerely saying that I live for Iranian people. I would attend this competition just for them. I’d give my life for Iran and Iranians."
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The fight was reportedly cancelled over fears for Gharibi's "mental wellbeing" according to Ford who initially revealed his frustrations at the event not going ahead after spending six months preparing. His Iranian rival had sparked concern in the build-up after revealing he was disowned by his parents while crying on national TV.
He also concerned fans after posting a message on social media that he wished for death, followed by an astonishing claim of having no coach when attending their first face-off in Dubai. Gharibi has since been called out by the 'Kazakh Titan' who is planning to capitalise on the cancellation of the event.
Meanwhile Ford has yet to find a new opponent but has previously revealed that he would like to attempt revenge against Thor Bjornsson who defeated his friend Eddie Hall. Fans believe Bjornsson should now step in and replace Gharibi in a boxing fight later this year.
