TONIGHT sees the return of self-proclaimed ‘face of boxing’, Gervonta Davis, 30-0 (28 KOs), but whilst ‘Tank’ is the main focus of the weekend’s action, there are two intriguing super-lightweight world title contests on his undercard, with Sandor Martin, 42-3 (15 KOs), challenging for world honours for the first time.
Yet, despite this being Martin’s first attempt at the 140-pound marbles, he is no stranger to the big stage and is remembered for his controversial defeat to current WBO titleholder Teofimo Lopez, 21-1 (13 KOs), whom he plans to rematch in a unification if he puts an end to Alberto Puello’s, 23-0 (10 KOs), reign as WBC champion.
A two-time European champion, Martin stepped up to the world level upon his U.S. debut in 2021 and scored a shock majority decision win over four-weight world champion Mikey Garcia, before returning to Spain to outpoint Jose Felix.
In late 2022, Martin was tasked with former unified lightweight conqueror Lopez at Madison Square Garden and dropped the New Yorker in the second-round before seemingly controlling the majority of the remainder of the fight, only to be robbed on the scorecards with a split-decision awarded in Lopez’s favour.
Since that night, Lopez has gone on to defeat Josh Taylor to become the WBO super-lightweight champion and his showdown with Martin has been somewhat swept under the rug.
Meanwhile, the Spaniard registered back-to-back knockout wins in Italy and now travels to New York for a second time, hoping for a fairer shake this time around as he faces Dominican southpaw, Puello, in a 50/50 affair for the WBC super-lightweight strap.
Speaking to Boxing News ahead of the event, Martin revealed his willingness to claim vengeance in a rematch with Lopez but doubted whether his 140lb rival would be interested.
“Yeah, of course [I would be interested in a unification rematch with Teofimo], why not? I am ready for this, but them? I don’t know.
“Absolutely, [I don’t think Lopez would want the rematch]. My manager and promoter met him in press conference at another show and he said ‘hey, I am the promoter of Sandor Martin’ and he [Lopez] said ‘Sandor Martin? No, no, I don’t want to speak about this’. It was like he saw a ghost.”
Nevertheless, the allure of a title unification could tempt Lopez into a second battle with Martin. Still, at present it appears as though there is another belt on Lopez’s mind, amid rumours of an upcoming clash with IBF champion Richardson Hitchins in a one-of-a-kind event on Alcatraz Island – a fight which Martin believes Hitchins could win.
“I think Hitchins can win; he is a very good fighter. He has a lot of skills and can beat him but it’s pro boxing and anyone can beat anyone.
“If Teofimo will [accept] the rematch, I am here. If Hitchins wants the unifications after this fight, I am here. I am here to be in the best fights possible in the sport of boxing.”
Martin-Puello joins a WBA title contest between Jose Valenzuela, 14-2 (9 KOs), and Gary Antuanne Russell, 17-1 (17 KOs), on the Tank-Roach undercard – which can be purchased for a price of £14.99 on Amazon Prime Video PPV (UK).
