Ryan Martin underdog for WBSS fight in Scotland
Ryan Martin has been used to being the favorite in every fight throughout his pro career. The Chattanooga native was expected to defeat journeymen fighters and gatekeepers on his way to becoming a legit prospect.
Now the undefeated junior welterweight contender will have to adjust to something that he is not familiar with: being the underdog.
“Blue Chip” Martin will face junior welterweight contender Josh Taylor this Saturday night at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. The 12-round bout will be streamed live on DAZN (2 p.m. ET).
DAZN is a live-streaming service that costs $9.99 a month, but there is a free 30-day trial period.
Martin is participating in the World Boxing Super Series 140-pound eliminations, an eightman single-elimination tournament. The winner becomes the consensus best fighter in the junior welterweight division and wins the Muhammad Ali trophy.
The 25-year-old Martin (22-0, 12 knockouts) has not fought since May 5, when he won a one-sided eight-round decision over Colombia’s Breidis Prescott in Carson, California.
The 2011 Central High School graduate, who is trained by Abel Sanchez in California, is ranked No. 6 by the World Boxing Council and No. 8 by the World Boxing Association.
Taylor (13-0, 11 KOs), who is the mandatory challenger to face WBC titleholder Jose Ramirez, will have a hometown crowd in his corner Saturday. Martin understands Taylor is the favorite to win and doesn’t mind it.
“I’m seeing things where I’m the underdog,” Martin told the Times Free Press in a recent interview. “It actually feels good to be the underdog. It’s the first time I’ve ever been the underdog. All the pressure is not on me. All the pressure is on Josh Taylor. It feels good.”
Martin is one of two Americans in the WBSS tournament. Regis Prograis (23-0, 19 KOs) of New Orleans defeated Manchester, England’s Terry Flanagan (33-2, 13 KOs) by unanimous decision last Saturday night.
Prograis had the opportunity to face Martin in the opening round but chose Flanagan instead. Martin would not have minded facing Prograis but believes they likely will meet in the final.
“I like the way it came out, because we are the only Americans in (the tournament),” Martin said. “It probably wouldn’t make sense for us to face each other in the first round. I think it played out the way it was supposed to. When Taylor made his pick, I was surprised, because you’re not sure what is going to happen. But it’s great. There’s going to be a lot of fireworks throughout the tournament.”
Manager Tim VanNewhouse has seen the progression Martin has made since his pro debut in September 2013. Martin was promoted for awhile by rapper-producer 50 Cent and now is promoted by Tom Loeffler, who also promotes Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.
“I feel very fortunate to work with Ryan because I’ve envisioned all of this stuff for him,” VanNewhouse said. “Everything, including him fighting at the highest level. I told him he would be here since we started working together years ago. It’s not surprising to me, but it is remarkable because he put in the work, and nobody can take that away from him.
“I can’t plan the future and plan ahead if he doesn’t perform and do what he’s supposed to do. I’m not surprised, because he has people on his team that know how special he is. Just the world hasn’t seen it yet. In the Josh Taylor fight, the light bulb will go on for Ryan, and you’re going to see the best ‘Blue Chip’ that you’ve ever seen.”
Taylor notched his most important win as a pro in his last bout on June 28, knocking down contender Viktor Postol on his way to a decision victory.
Martin is not deterred that many boxing publications are predicting another Taylor win Saturday. The former Chattanooga YCAP standout believes the work he put in the gym with Sanchez, along with the mentorship of Golovkin, will help him grind out a win.
“I don’t know if he is a big puncher,” Martin said. “I see that he loads up with a lot of his punches. I just have to be aware and smart in there. It’s going to be a great fight. I’m looking forward to it because I believe it’s going to bring the best out of me, because I have to be at my best.
“Representing Chattanooga on this stage means the world to me. Carrying the city on my shoulders is everything. Me and Abel are ready to shock the world. People that think that I’m not ready for this opportunity do not know me.”
“It actually feels good to be the underdog. It’s the first time I’ve ever been the underdog. All the pressure is not on me. All the pressure is on Josh Taylor. It feels good.” – RYAN MARTIN