If Frank Martin had cussed doubters earlier than his struggle towards Michel Rivera in December, they in all probability got here round afterward.
The 135-pound contender not solely defeated beforehand unbeaten Michel Rivera, he outclassed him, pitching a shutout on one card and getting one-sided nods on the opposite two to assert probably the most important victory of his profession.
In actual fact, he made it look so easy that viewers may not absolutely respect what he completed that night time.
“I made it look simpler than it was,” mentioned Martin, who faces Artem Harutyunyan on Saturday in Las Vegas (Showtime). “To not discredit his expertise or his expertise. I used to be simply one hundred pc prepared and ready for all the things he had. …
“Some guys may not have given him the issues I gave him in that struggle. … It was a terrific struggle for me, to get that have towards that caliber fighter on my resume.”
Followers and pundits alike appreciated his efficiency sufficient to acknowledge that he’s gaining on the highest lightweights, Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, Shakur Stevenson and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Martin appears to have all the things required to have nice success. Pure presents. He’s fast and athletic. The talent set. He was a high beginner and solely getting higher. Good energy. An incredible coach in Derrick James. And, by all accounts, self-discipline.
All that appeared apparent within the victory over the proficient Michel, which took him a step nearer to a showdown with one of many stars within the division.
“Sure, folks truly bought to see a few of my expertise,” Martin mentioned. “I went into the struggle, if I’m not mistaken, because the underdog. Individuals who didn’t know me, it woke them up. And it ready me for the larger fights I’m wanting down the road.
“It’s positively all coming collectively. … [People] used to inform me that it was all going to come back quick. It’s come tremendous, tremendous fast.”
Now, like so many high fighters craving for large alternatives, Martin, who’s ranked within the Prime 7 by all 4 main sanctioning our bodies, should proceed to win and proceed to attend.
He respects Harutyunyan (12-0, 7 KOs), who capped a profitable beginner profession by profitable a bronze medal within the 2016 Olympics for his dwelling nation of Germany.
Martin insists he’s taking Harutyunyan as critically as he would take a struggle with one of many massive 4 within the division. He may not pose an analogous menace. On the similar, he can’t threat an upset, which might spoil all of the work that has led him thus far.
“I gotta keep grounded, gotta keep targeted,” he mentioned. “That’s actually the toughest half about it, staying targeted when you get success, maintaining that decided mindset. You possibly can’t get snug [because] it’s straightforward to get off observe.
“That is a type of fights that can get me nearer to being the necessary,” he went on. “… This will get me nearer to these belts. I’ve to verify to go in there and get the job performed towards him earlier than I can have a look at the larger names.”
Martin is younger by widespread requirements, 28. Nonetheless, he’s at an age when most proficient fighters have already made massive strikes in his profession.
Does he really feel added strain in that regard? Does he really feel the clock ticking?
“Yeah, however I don’t really feel it’s an age factor,” he mentioned in response to these questions. “I really feel that as a result of I really feel I’m prepared, prepared for the chance to get my belts. I wish to get the belts. I’ve put in plenty of arduous work, staying within the health club day in and day trip.
“I’m prepared for the alternatives to current themselves so I can present the world.”
