Chattanooga native Ryan Martin, left, put his undefeated professional boxing record on the line against Marcos Jimenez in a card televised by ESPN2 from Indio, Calif. The 24-year-old Martin is the 11th-ranked lightweight in the world, according to the International Boxing Federation.With each impressive performance, unbeaten Chattanooga native Ryan Martin is becoming well-known to boxing fans in the United States and abroad. He’s ranked among the top 15 lightweights in the world, and just this week BoxingScene.com posted a new feature story on him.
As the accolades shower down onto Martin, though, do not ask him whether he sees himself as a prospect or a contender.
“I just want to get better with each fight. I’ll let everyone else decide that,” he said this week.
Martin (18-0, with 11 knockouts) hopes to continue riding that momentum of success tonight as he squares off against Marcos Jimenez in a 10-round bout at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. The Martin-Jimenez fight will open an ESPN2 telecast that begins at 10 p.m. EDT.
The 24-year-old Martin became a bona fide prospect in 2016, winning four bouts, including one for a continental title belt on Sept. 10 against Cesar Villarraga in Inglewood, Calif.
The 2011 Central High School graduate last fought on March 18 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, stopping his toughest opponent to date, on paper – Bryant Cruz – in round eight. Not only was Martin boxing before a large audience in person, but the fight was on a pay-per-view telecast.
“I have to admit I had the jitters walking out of the tunnel and toward the ring,” Martin told the Times Free Press in a phone interview Wednesday. “The excitement that I was fighting on a big card and the rush to see everyone was a great experience.”
Martin will continue showcasing his improved skills tonight on a notable platform against Jimenez (22-7, 15 KOs), a former fringe contender from the Dominican Republic who is 3-3 in his last six fights.
Despite Jimenez having the experience factor on his side, Martin believes he has the intangibles to grind out another victory.
“I know he’s a defensive fighter who is going to make me want to think,” said Martin, who is affiliated with K2 Promotions. “I need to make him open up and get him out of his shell. I’ll make adjustments and break him down toward the end of the fight.”
Martin’s success can partly be attributed to trainers Joe Delguyd in Cleveland, Ohio, and Abel Sanchez at Big Bear Lake in Califonia. Sanchez also trains Gennady Golovkin, who is scheduled to face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Sept. 17 in Las Vegas on a card that potentially could include Martin.
Both trainers have added elements to Martin’s expertise that have made him a more well-rounded fighter. Martin has noticed the progress and believes he can only get better.
“Joe has had me improve on combination punches behind a jab. Abel has taught me to sit down more on my punches,” he said. “I’ve noticed my improvement after I watch tapes of my fights. My punch output has gone up, but I’m shortening up on those punches.”
Manager Tim VanNewhouse agrees.
“Ryan hasn’t even hit his ceiling yet. He keeps getting better with each fight, and that’s the goal,” VanNewhouse said. “He works very hard and is dedicated to his craft.”
Martin’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He is ranked No. 11 in the world by the International Boxing Federation and might crack other sanctioning bodies’ top 15 with an impressive performance tonight.
While Martin may fight under the bright lights of New York City or train in the mountains of Southern California, he is more than content to represent his original hometown wherever he goes.
“I’m always proud to carry Chattanooga with me,” he said. “I believe that being a face of Chattanooga is great. I love the city. I’m thankful for the support, but I always stay involved with what is happening in the community.”
“Chattanooga has always treated me well.”
Even with what he has accomplished, Martin humbly appreciates what his team has done for him and recognizes there are no short cuts in the fight game.
“I’m just like every fighter. I want to get better,” he said. “Boxing brings the best out of you, but it’s also because of what you put in.
“I want to keep improving and fulfilling my personal goals, one fight at a time.”
Francisco A. Salazar has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. He can be reached at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.