Lightweight boxing contender Ryan Martin from Chattanooga has enjoyed the perks of fighting on the undercards of recent ESPN and HBO pay-per-view telecasts. He now headlines his first significant fight card.
Martin will face Luis Eduardo Florez tonight at The Avalon in Hollywood, Calif. The 10-round junior welterweight bout will headline a 360 Promotions card and will air on RingTV.com and 360’s Facebook page at 9:15 p.m. EDT.
Chattanooga native Ryan Martin, left, listens to renowned trainer Abel Sanchez during a 2017 workout session at Big Bear Lake in California. Martin’s manager says the up-and-coming lightweight will be spending even more time with Sanchez, who trains middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.At Monday’s weigh-in, Martin tipped the scale at 138.6 pounds. Florez, who resides in Puerto Libertador, Colombia, weighed in at 140.6.
Martin (20-0) last fought on Sept. 16 in Las Vegas, winning a 10-round split decision over Francisco Rojo of Mexico. It was revealed later than Martin suffered a fracture in his right hand, which required rest and a splint for a few weeks that kept him out of training.
Upon returning to training camp, Martin went to Big Bear Lake, Calif. to work with Abel Sanchez, who trainsWBC, IBF and WBA middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin.
The 2011 Central High School graduate has trained previously at Big Bear and has won two regional title belts. Managed by Tim VanNewhouse, Martin is ranked in the top 10 in three of boxing’s major sanctioning bodies, including No. 6 by the World Boxing Organization.
The 25-year-old Martin is also promoted by Tom Loefller, who promotes Golovkin. The longtime promoter has high hopes for Martin, should Martin come out victorious tonight.
“Ryan has demonstrated amazing ability in the ring and continues to get better with every fight,” Loeffler told The Times Free Press on Saturday. “He trains alongside Gennady in Big Bear and sees firsthand what it takes to be a top fighter.”
“We’re looking to see if he can fight for a world title belt late later this year.”
Six fights will round out tonight’s card.