Edmonds lightweight Martin O’Malley is scheduled to end another lengthy layoff next week with an eight-round fight in Phoenix, Ariz.
Seven months to the day after scoring a unanimous decision in New York City, O’Malley will face Orlando Soto in the co-main event of an eight-bout card May 13 at Rodeo Nights, a country western club.
O’Malley (20-1, 14 knockouts) intends to use the fight as a tune-up for a potential appearance 18 days later at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.
“This is the right fight for Martin,” said veteran trainer Rick Burns, who has been working with O’Malley out of his Blue Collar Boxing club in Chandler, Ariz. “He’s had a long layoff and he doesn’t want to come back against a top 10 guy right off the bat.”
Soto (8-3) turned pro in 1996 and appeared on a previous card for Burns. Not much else is known about the Mexican journeyman, other than he has a history of going the distance.
“I’ve never seen him go down,” Burns said. “Martin should get six or eight rounds out of him for sure.”
Right now, rounds are exactly what O’Malley, 27, is looking for after a seven-month hiatus.
“There’s no need for me to be that inactive,” O’Malley said.
Following his nationally televised victory over Danny Rios Nov. 13, O’Malley retreated to Sun City, Ariz., to train with his father, Martin O’Malley Sr., during the winter months.
At least four days a week O’Malley makes the two-hour round trip trek to Blue Corner Boxing to work with Burns.
“What I like most about him is his dedication,” Burns said. “I asked him to take a day off and he still does 300 push-ups and runs three miles.”
Burns jumped at the chance to add O’Malley to the Phoenix card as a late attraction.
“He’s a tough kid,” Burns said. “He’s got good hand speed and foot speed. He likes to trade (punches) a little too much for my liking, but that’s just the fighter in him. I’ve convinced him it’s OK to move his head.”
Since sustaining a technical knockout loss to current World Boxing Association lightweight champion Leo Dorin in July of 2001, O’Malley has recorded three unanimous decision wins.
Though he has yet to sign a long-term contract with a promoter, to ensure a consistent fight schedule O’Malley said his free agent status is always subject to change.
“I’m looking to get a promotion deal done so I don’t have to worry about setting up fights. They’re just there,” said O’Malley, the No. 6 contender in the most recent North American Boxing Association super lightweight rankings.
Ideally, O’Malley would like to book three or four fights a year. How the rest of this year plays out will be crucial as to what lies ahead for the once-beaten 137-pounder.
“His next three or four fights are his career,” Burns said.
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