Frank Martin, long accustomed to being an underdog, is confident he will surprise Gervonta “Tank” Davis when they clash for the WBA lightweight title on June 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Martin (18-0, 12 KOs) is determined to prove his worth in the bout, which will be broadcast on pay-per-view. Despite being discounted by Davis for his late start in boxing – Martin began as a teenager, while Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) started at age 7 – Martin is unfazed.
“I have been an underdog since I started,” said Martin.
Martin, a 29-year-old Detroit native, is coming off a competitive 12-round unanimous decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan last July. Prior to that, he had a breakout performance against Michel Rivera in 2022, marking Martin as a rising star in the sport.
“It is a blessing to get this type of opportunity and show the world what I am about,” Martin said. “I appreciate Gervonta Davis for taking this fight. I believe they f***** up by taking this fight.”
Davis, also 29, fought only once in 2023, securing a seventh-round knockout of Ryan Garcia. He enters the June bout on a three-fight knockout streak that began with his May 2022 victory over Rolando “Rolly” Romero.
At the same time, Davis, who has a (deserved) position high on most pound-for-pound lists, has shown enough momentary lapses – most recently against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Leo Santa Cruz – to give Martin reason to believe that he can be beaten.
“I am just ready to go out there and shock the world,” Martin said.
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