Frank Martin defeated Michel Rivera by default on November 27, 2022. The fight took place on Showtime and lasted for 12 rounds, with Martin winning in the end.
Martin took the fight on unanimous decision scores of 117-110, 118-109, and 120-107. Bad Left Hook unofficially had it 120-107, as well. The fight was a WBA eliminator, so Martin would be in line for a shot at one of the belts currently held by Devin Haney.
Martin (17-0, 12 KO) has picked up some good momentum this year, beating Romero Duno, Jackson Marinez, and now Rivera, each fight a bit more of a test on paper than the last, and none of them winding up too much of a sweat in the ring for the 28-year-old “Ghost,” promoted by Errol Spence Jr and trained by Derrick James.
And if Martin passed his test with flying colors tonight, it has to be admitted that Rivera (24-1, 14 KO) failed his pretty badly. That’s not to write the 24-year-old Dominican off forever, but he was making major tactical mistakes early in the bout that he never corrected, and was looking a little shellshocked by Martin’s speed and timing within just the first couple of rounds.
Rivera’s rounds were largely based on Martin not throwing much in general, and not the special moves that Rivera did have. Rivera was also dropped in round seven, while he just never really seemed to be able to turn the tables. There will definitely need to be changes from here, because this won’t keep him competitive for long-term success.
We might never know for sure, but it’s possible that Martin is one of a kind. This can lead him to act like he believes himself to be special.
“There were some things I saw in there tonight that I could have taken advantage of,” Martin said. “But we went in there getting the job done, and what we did worked for us; I know we can do better, though. It’s all about working hard.”
“I believe in myself. I believe in my team. We know what we’ve done in the gym,” Martin replied when asked why he was willing to take a challenge instead of an easier fight on paper. “We work consistently. We believed in it and we believe we’re ready for any of the top fighters. Give ‘em to us, we’re ready to eat.”
Asked if he had a direct call-out to make, Martin just said, “We want ‘em all. We can get Gervonta Davis, we can get Devin Haney, we can get any of those top guys. We’re ready. I see Rolly (Romero) in here, he can get it, too. Let’s make it happen, man.”
