date, time, view, background

the lightWeightlifters Michel Rivera and Frank Martin will go head to head in a title elimination match Saturday at Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan.

MICHEL RIVERA (24-0, 14 KOs) vs FRANK MARTIN (16-0, 12 KOs)

• Day: Saturday, December 17
• Time: 10pm ET / 7pm Pacific Time (main event follows)
• Where: International of Las Vegas
• television/stream: Showtime
• Assignment: Light weight (135 pounds)
• dumbbell: Martin 134.8, Rivera 134.4
• threatened: No main title
• Pound-for-pound ratings: Not available
• the odds: Even (average of multiple stores)
• Also on the card: Jose Uzcategui vs Vladimir Shishkin, super middleweight; Nikolai Potapov vs Vincent Astrolabio, bantamweight; Omar Jaurez vs Austin Dulay, junior weight class
• Guess: Rivera SD
• Story: This was an unusual match between two talented, undefeated young contenders. Rivera, 24, is untouchable in his young professional career, which began in 2016. The Miami-based Dominican has proven he can outdo you with his skills or knocks you down with his power even as the opponent has improved, even though his last three games his opponent put him in the distance. Rivera will make an eight-round one-way decision against Jerry Perez in October. Martin is surrounded by good examples: He trains with Errol Spence Jr. and Jermell Charlo under the direction of Derrick James. He, too, seems to be a complete fighter. He is agile, skillful and strong. The 27-year-old Indianapolis resident hasn’t been seriously motivated either since turning pro in 2017. He’s about to make his debut. knockout final round of Jackson Marinez became available this past July. Saturday’s match is considered a WBA title knockout. Rivera was ranked 2nd by the sanctioning agency, Martin 10th. Rivera has expressed a desire to fight sub-belt Gervonta Davis. Devin Haney is the undisputed 135-pound champion.