HOW WE DEAL WITH INJURIES IN PROFESSIONAL SPORT

In Conversation with Martin Foru, Super-Middleweight Boxer

10 Wins 0 Losses

A sports injury is a common challenge for athletes and a hand-injury in boxing is a cruel but common blow. Overcoming emotional and physical challenges of a traumatic injury requires the ability to deal effectively with the mental side of rehabilitation. There is the frustration of not being able to perform and continue to live out your identity as a professional sportsperson and then there are the doubts about whether you’ll be able to perform at pre-injury levels, the acceptance of the reality and having to be the master of the injury, rather than letting the injury master you. 

I sat down with professional fighter Martin Foru to discuss what had happened that night in June 2023, that has stalled his career momentum and caused him to stop doing what he has always done and paused him from being who he’s always been. At the time of writing Martin has been unable to box for 20-months…

Max: 

So Martin, tell me what happened?

Martin: 

Well the first injury was my right hand, which I broke badly in my last pro fight, in June 2023. I won, but I won with my left hand as I had smashed my right before the fight ended. I was injured because of that for about a year and a half. It was when I was back training again, sparring in preparation for my comeback fight that I really mashed my left hand, with an uppercut to the other guys’ elbow - snapping my metacarpal! …That was September 2024 and now we’re February 2025 and am just praying for good news at the next assessment. I still can’t close my fist properly though.

Max:

Wow - so this is two back-to-back injuries! This is two setbacks and nearly two years out of the game. You went from winning a fight, to one disappointment after the other. How have you managed that?

Martin:

Well - haha, I love running and I keep myself in shape regardless, so fitness has been key to keeping myself on-track. Mentally it has been very challenging. The first injury was much worse than I could’ve expected and coming to terms with that, with what that meant for my career etc, was really tough to accept. It was a very draining period for me. And then when the 2nd injury happened, I just saw my plans crumble in front of me. It was terrible. 

Max:

They say adversity introduces a man to himself - what have you learned about you?

Martin:

I have certainly learned a lot abut myself - not necessarily in a good way. Boxing has always been such a great distraction - it keeps me in the moment. When I start thinking about the past or the future, it’s very hard not be overwhelmed by frustration, negativity and doubts. 

Max:

How important has it been to have a social support structure beyond boxing?

Martin:

Very important. I’m a social guy and I have many close friends beyond boxing. But no one can really understand quite how much the injuries have impacted me, my mental health, my ambitions and identity. I’m very good at numbing things and ignoring the negative narratives that my mind might otherwise have me believe. I just have to turn a blind eye and imagine that this was meant to be. I accept where I am. 

Max:

Are you doing any visualisation or meditating on healing?

Martin:

I did it a lot for the right-hand (1st injury) and then… hahah - it was just too much! After life said “No” for the second time, I was like maaaan! 

I’m lucky. I’ve always loved making music, engineering it, singing it and this is a great distraction. But with my boxing falling away my inspiration and motivation has been low. When things are low for so long, you start to ask yourself questions you don’t know how to answer, haha… “what’s it all for” etc.

There are so many downs and that’s cool when you have the ups, but I haven’t had that many ups now for a while. I just have to stay fit! Keeping fit and strong is simply non-negotiable to bouncing back when the time is right. 

Max:

So what’s next?

Martin:

The big screen! I’m 28yrs old - it’s all or nothing. I don’t care, I’m just going for it all. I will fight anyone, anywhere at any time. 

Having listened to Martin talk about his experiences of injury over the past 20-months, I find it remarkable how resilient he has been to the back-to-back setbacks to his career ambitions. Keeping himself fit has clearly been a way of expressing his intent and keeping his motivation focused on what lies ahead. The mental fortitude, the patience and unwavering belief that he’s coming back is what impresses me.

Every setback is a set-up for a comeback!