Boxer Martin aims for world title shot
The year 2017 was a very good one for Ryan Martin.
The Chattanooga native boxed twice on pay-per-view programming, appeared on two of the biggest fight cards of the year and now is a world title contender for several sanctioning bodies.
Could a shot at a world title belt be in the cards for the 24-year-old in 2018?
That remains to be seen, but “Blue Chip” Martin is right on the cusp of major fights on premium programming and against top opposition.
With the assistance of promoter Tom Loeffler, manager Tim VanNewhouse believes Martin is primed to make another move up this year.
“Two thousand seventeen was big for Ryan’s development,” VanNewhouse said recently. “He’s been provided the biggest platforms, been in some tough fights and is recognized as a world title contender by every major sanctioning body.”
Martin made his debut on HBO Pay Per View on March 18 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 2011 Central High School graduate battered Bryant Cruz before earning a technical knockout in the eighth round.
Martin would have made his debut on ESPN on June 30, but a transformer inside a production truck overheated, likely from the over-100-degree temperatures outside the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. Martin’s one-sided decision over Marcos Jimenez was not televised.
In his last bout on Sept. 16, which also aired on HBO Pay Per View, Martin was able to win a hard-fought 10-round split decision over Francisco Rojo of Mexico at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. During that fight, Martin broke his left pinky.
Martin is ranked No. 7 among professional lightweights by the International Boxing Federation and No. 8 by the World Boxing Council. The World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization both have him at No. 12.
Martin has been trained
by Joe Delguyd, but famed trainer Abel Sanchez also has worked his corner. Sanchez is best known for training Terry Norris and now trains middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.
“Being in Big Bear (Lake in California) last year with Abel really helped Ryan’s confidence,” VanNewhouse said. “Just training alongside Golovkin and (IBF cruiserweight title-holder) Murat Gassiev has been huge for him. Murat is just 24 years old, who won a world title at age 23. It’s very motivating to be around guys like that.
“Abel plans to work hands-on with Ryan for his upcoming camp and really work on some things. Ryan’s excited to head up the mountain.”
As far as when Martin could return to the ring, look for late February or March.
“Ryan broke his finger in his last fight in September,” Loeffler reminded. “Ryan might return on Feb. 24 (at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.) or in March.”
If Martin does return to the ring on Feb. 24, that fight could air on HBO or HBO Latino, depending on how much the network is willing to budget for it.
VanNewhouse believes Martin’s continued evolution as a complete fighter, along with his rankings, will bring him more exposure.
“The goal for 2018 stays the same. We need to have Ryan in bigger fights to complement his development,” VanNewhouse said. “However, we have to take things one fight at a time and see how Ryan is progressing. Abel Sanchez will now be a part of those discussions on future opponents and our route to the title.”
“We have our eyes set on winning a world title belt before year’s end.”
Francisco A. Salazar has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. He can be reached at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.