By: Sean
This has happened many times before: A relatively unknown fighter steps into the boxing ring to take on a big-name opponent and then shocks the world. Lightweight Frank Martin, 29, hopes that his fight with Gervonta Davis on June 15 will be one of those cases. Even though Martin has a perfect 18-0 record, it’s Davis who gets all the attention – and not without good reason. After all, the Baltimore native has been at the top of the fight game for a while now. And while Martin certainly outclassed his opponents, he never pulled off the shocking wins that Davis had against the likes of Leo Santa Cruz and Ryan Garcia.
However, Martin was ready for the occasion. “He’s going to bring out the best in me,” the Indianapolis boxer said TMZ. “I feel like I have a lot of things that he (Davis), the whole world, a lot of people might not expect. I’m just ready to go there and take advantage of the moment.” Sure, Martin doesn’t seem to be troubled by the fact that he’s the clear underdog heading into next weekend’s fight. “I accept it,” he said of his vulnerable state. “I’m eating it all up. It is energizing me.”
The man is also grateful for the opportunity he has before him. Because if he defeats the highly skilled, thunderous punching Davis, Martin will become the toast of boxing and beyond. “This moment doesn’t pass like that for many fighters,” he said TMZ. “So lucky to have such an opportunity.” Yes – and that’s a blessing as Martin is clearly trying to make the most of it. “I hope I get the best version of you,” he told Davis directly, “because you get the best version of me.”
With that said, there is no doubt that Davis will show his full potential when he answers the opening bell to face Martin at the MGM Grand in Vegas later this month. Davis takes his sport very seriously. High-level fighters are often criticized, but it’s hard to deny that Davis enters each fight prepared and ready to go. So far, it has worked extremely well for this man. Whether it will turn against Martin again is anyone’s guess. Without a doubt, each fighter has his own idea of how things should go.
