Martin 20-0 after split-decision win

LAS VEGAS — When a boxer did not perform at his best, the old-timers in the sport would say, “Win ugly tonight, look better tomorrow.”

That was the case Saturday night for Chattanooga native Ryan Martin, who overcame Francisco Rojo of Mexico City by a split decision over 10 rounds at the T-Mobile Arena.

With the win, Martin retained his WBC Continental Americas lightweight championship and acquired the WBA Intercontinental lightweight title.

Saturday night was the first time the 2011 Central High School graduate was fighting in Las Vegas. The fight opened an HBO PayPer-View show and was on the undercard of the middleweight showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin.

Martin is 20-0 as a professional, with 11 knockouts.

In his previous bout on June 30, he won a one-sided decision over former fringe contender Marcos Jimenez in Indio, Calif. Martin, who is trained by Joe Delguyd, split his training camp for the Rojo fight in Cleveland, Ohio, and Big Bear Lake in California.

Rojo (20-3, 13 KOs) entered the bout having won his previous eight bouts.

The taller Martin landed the more telling blows early in the bout, raining down a series of combinations to the head of Rojo. By the fourth round, Rojo closed the difference, landing a series of hooks and right hands to Martin’s body.

By round seven, Martin took more initiative, going on the attack and sitting down on his punches. After repeated warnings, referee Russell Mora deducted a point from Martin for landing below Rojo’s belt line.

One judge scored the bout 98-91 for Rojo, while the other two judges scored it 96-93 and 95-94 in favor of Martin. The Times Free Press scored the bout 96-93 his way.

“I didn’t feel 100 percent tonight, even though I got the split decision,” Martin said. “I know I fought a good fight despite the adversity in the ring. I know the judge that scored in favor of Rojo recognized good boxing in him.”

Punch stats favored Martin, who landed 205 of 595 total punches (34.5 percent), while Rojo connected with 138 out of 539 total punches (25.6 percent).

Martin is managed by Tim VanNewhouse and promoted by K2 Promotions. He would like to fight once more in 2017, which would make it four fights this calendar year.

“An active fighter is a happy fighter,” Martin told the Times Free Press over the phone earlier this week.

There is a strong indication that could happen. Both VanNewhouse and K2 managing director Tom Loeffler see the importance of keeping Martin active.

As for Saturday night, Martin is glad he added another title belt.

“I’m glad I have this new belt, and it’s on to the next,” he said.