Former UBO Champions Collide For Continental (Europe) Title

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SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 / BY BY UBO PRESS OFFICER

One of the most prominent boxers to come out of the small island country in the Mediterranean Sea, Christian Schembri, will face Martin Gruy from Slovakia in the main event of “Island Knockouts”.

Schembri (28-13-1, 11 KOs), known for his willingness to take on all comers, raised eyebrows when he turned pro in 2015 against former Commonwealth titlist and WBU world champion Scott Dixon.

In a ten-rounder, he lost only by Majority Decision, and went on to rematch and defeat Dixon in his fourth fight the following year.

In 2019 Schembri captured the UBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title by stopping battle-tested Georgian Paata Varduasvili, before beating Dixon in their rubber match in 2020.

28-year-old Martin “Guru” Gruy (10-2, 7 KOs) has only campaigned in the paid ranks since 2024, but has not wasted much time.

After six victories in quick succession, he won the UBO International Middleweight title that same year, defeating undefeated fellow countryman Tomas Pomahac.

In November of last year he gave 32-0 German Mario Jassman all he could handle, in Germany, before losing a close and controversial decision after ten rounds.

Gruy has youth on his side, and has proved that he can punch, but Schembri brings a clear advantage in experience and has never been stopped. This fight has fifty-fifty written all over it!