Martin sharp in return to ring
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Chattanooga native Ryan Martin put aside any notion he would have boxing ring-rust with a dominant performance Tuesday night, stopping Luis Eduardo Florez of Colombia in the fourth round in the headline fight of a seven-bout card at the Avalon Theatre.
What is next for the 25-yearold Martin? That depends on what his promotional and managerial team decide.
It was Martin’s first fight since a 12-round split-decision victory over Francisco Rojo of Mexico on Sept. 16 in Las Vegas. During that fight, Martin suffered a fracture in his right hand, requiring a splint that sidelined him for weeks.
After a feeling-out opening round Tuesday night, the 2011 Central High School graduate was aggressive, walking Florez back and initiating exchanges that put the Colombian on the defensive. Martin dropped Florez once in the third round and again the next round before the junior welterweight bout was stopped by referee Jack Reiss at 30 seconds of the fourth.
“This fight was to make up for my last fight,” Martin told the Times Free Press after the fight. “I didn’t perform even a fraction of what I could (in September). This fight was a mental thing for me. It was to show the fans what I know I’m capable of doing.
“Under Abel (Sanchez), I’m more confident in myself. This was about erasing my last performance. I knew I had to come out here and make a statement.”
Sanchez, who also trains Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and cruiserweight world title-holder Murat Gassiev at Big Bear Lake, Calif., was impressed with Martin’s performance Tuesday. He does want to see more consistency from Martin.
“He impressed by doing what I asked him to do. Not enough of what I asked him to do, but enough to be able to get the knockout,” Sanchez said.
“I wanted him to understand who he is, because there’s moments in the past where he doesn’t understand who he is,” the trainer added. “I think he’s a great talent. I think he’s going to be a world champion, but he has to use his skills in a manner that I’m asking him to, and if he does there’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to progress like he did for this fight.”
Martin is ranked in the top 10 in three of boxing’s major sanctioning bodies as a lightweight (135 pounds). He is ranked No. 6 by the World Boxing Organization.
Martin did tip the scale
at 138.6 pounds at Monday’s weigh-in, sparking speculation about whether he would remain as a lightweight or move up and compete in the junior welterweight division.
“Right now I’m still a lightweight contender, but I’m going to talk to my team about whether I stay where I’m at or move up to 140 pounds,” said Martin, who credits Sanchez and the isolated training camp for his improvement thus far.
“Definitely, confidence. I’ve also learned to listen more to my corner and turning my punches over like Abel wants me to,” Martin said. “I’ve always been a good boxer, but Abel has added more to sitting down on my punches. Big Bear Lake is not for everybody. It really is for world champions and contenders who really want to hone their craft.”
Manager Tim VanNewhouse confirmed that all parties will sit down and talk about Martin’s future.
“I spoke with Abel and Tom (Loeffler) at length, and the plan is for all of us to meet in a couple of weeks,” VanNewhouse said. “We are going to map out a new plan for this year. Ryan will now campaign junior welterweight, so that changes some things a bit.” Martin is promoted by Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, which also promotes Golovkin. The Martin-Florez fight headlined a seven-bout “Hollywood Fight Night” card, the first in a 360 series planned for every two or three months.
Francisco A. Salazar covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV, Boxingscene.com and FightNights.com. He can be reached at santio89@ yahoo.com or followed on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing