Frank Martin is in what is considered a major fight on Saturday, but if you're among those who might ask, "Frank Who," you're not alone.
At a point when an influx of money from Saudi Arabia has suddenly made fights that seemed impossible to get done doable, and the biggest names are suddenly regularly fighting each other, there are still plenty of guys like Martin trying to build their reputations. On Saturday, Martin (18-0, 12 KOs) face Gervonta Davis in the main event of the 100th boxing card at the MGM Grand Garden in a pay-per-view fight on Amazon Prime Video.
Davis is one of the biggest stars in the sport, with a 29-0 record and 27 KOs and the ability to sell both tickets and pay-per-views. Davis is a massive favorite, standing at -750 heading into Saturday's bout for Davis' WBA lightweight belt. Martin is +425.
Martin, though, insists he's not in awe or showing up simply for a big paycheck.
“I just need to be composed, be calm and be who I am," Martin said. "I can’t let any of the antics or crowd or the noise get in the way of me getting the victory. I feel like this is going to be a good fight. We all know what Tank brings, but a lot of guys don’t know what I bring. They know a little bit of it, but they don’t know the full arsenal I have."
That's because he hasn't shown it yet. Martin declined a fight last year with Shakur Stevenson and the biggest name on his resumé is probably Michel Rivera. Rivera is a solid fighter but is probably more known for an uncanny resemblance to a young Muhammad Ali than he is for any accomplishments in the ring.
Martin works under the tutelage of trainer Derrick James, and is a solid fundamental fighter. A long-time boxing person said "Martin is solid and good at everything but the problem for him is, Davis is solid and better at everything."
That's a matter of opinion, though it's a widely held one. So Martin needs to go out and earn his respect not only from the fans and the critics, but especially from Davis. Davis is fast and powerful and puts his combinations together well. He's an accurate puncher and harder to hit than he's given credit for being.
So Martin has to find a way to open him up without being caught in return. Rolando Romero is a vastly different fighter than Martin, but Romero was in a similar position when he fought Davis in Brooklyn on May 22, 2022. He was doing well early, though the judges were giving Davis most of the rounds. But when Romero left himself open, Davis quickly took advantage and the fight ended in the sixth round in a blink of an eye.
Martin can't afford a similar mistake or he'll be on his back staring up at the lights, as well.
He's worked in the shadows for years, not seeking the limelight but perfecting his craft until the right moment came.
“I feel like this is one of those moments where all the hard work I put in is paying off," Martin said. "With all the work I’ve been putting in leading up to the fight, and all the work I’ve put in over the years, this just feels like a life changing moment. This is my time to come out on top.
“We know Tank is explosive and fast. He’s got it all, but on fight night, the world will see that I’ve got it all, too. So it’s going to be two dogs in there locking up like pit bulls. The best man will win that night."
If it's Martin, it will rock the boxing world. It would not only set up a big-money rematch with Davis, it would open up potential mega-fights with all of the big names in and around 135 and 140 pounds.
“I believe in myself, even if the world is against me," Martin said. "I know the work that I put in. I feel like I was born to do this. I feel it in my body. It’s just time for me to show up and show out."