The boxing career of Chattanooga native Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin continues to rise.
The 17-0 professional lightweight based in Cleveland, Ohio, will be fighting at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 18. He will be facing Bryant “Pee Wee” Cruz (17-1) of Port Chester, N.Y., in the first bout of a 9 p.m. HBO pay-per-view card headlined by a world middleweight fight between Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs.
Martin, a 2011 Central High School graduate recently listed among the Top 20 Rising Stars by ESPN’s Dan Rafael, will be defending his World Boxing Council Continental Americas lightweight championship in a 10-round fight against Cruz, 27. Cruz likely will be a hometown favorite, having fought 14 times as a pro in the New York area.
“Fighting at the Garden is a huge opportunity for my team and me,” Martin said in a Rafael story this week, “especially being on the undercard of the biggest fight of the year, (telecast) by the leader of sports, HBO Boxing.”
Said Cruz: “I’m hungry and excited to get back in the ring, especially on such a big card. Fighting an undefeated prospect shows that I’m willing to face anyone to get to the top and will take any opportunity that comes my way. I am bringing my ‘A’ game on March 18 and WILL get the win.”