Frank Martin Almost Drops A Gimme Fight! Rodriguez May Have Retired Postol!
MARTIN VS HARUTYUNYAN – In a WBC lightweight title eliminator, Frank “The Ghost” Martin (18-0, 12KO) rallied late to defeat the unknown Artem Harutyunyan (12-1, 7KO).
Martin did not look like the same fighter that dominated top-rated Michel Rivera in December 2022. He had a hard time dealing with the movement, feints, and pressure of the undefeated Armenian, who was making an American debut.
Martin finally started to use his superior footwork to provide angles before landing sharp counter shots in the middle rounds. After enduring that offensive storm, Harutyunyan showed heart by fighting in the pocket, landing the straight right hand, and some good body shots.
In the championship rounds, The Ghost maximized his pressure and bullied his opponent all around the ring. Harutyunyan wilted under pressure by taking a voluntary knee in the last round and narrowly made it to the final bell.
One judge saw it 114-113, as the other two saw it 115-112 in favor of Martin. This performance will not convince fans he is ready for the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and other top guys in the division.
RELATED: Shakur Stevenson Warns Frank Martin: “Better Be Working Your Ass Off!”
ELVIS RODRIGUEZ GETS A SOLID WIN OVER VIKTO POSTOL
Since losing his first fight in 2021, junior welterweight Elvis Rodriguez picks up a fourth straight victory over former world champion Viktor Postol (31-5, 12KO).
The fight started in typical feel-out fashion as both fighters took turns establishing the jab and implementing their game plan. However, Rodriguez took control of the fight in round five. The Dominican started marching forward and throwing combination punches, applying the pressure that put Postol on the backfoot.
In the sixth round, he landed a punishing right hook that dropped the former world champion, who narrowly survived the round. Realizing his opponent was hurt, Rodriguez came out on a mission and attacked with hard shots that had Postol stumbling all over the ring.
The referee stepped in and stopped the fight giving Rodriguez the biggest win of his career. Looking down the line, it’s time for him to challenge someone inside the top ten. Postol has now lost three-fights in a row, and with his career on life support, this could be the defeat that sends him into retirement.
FREUDIS ROJAS REMAINS UNDEFEATED
Going beyond four rounds for the first time, undefeated welterweight prospect Freudis Rojas (11-0, 11KO) kept the knock streak alive by stopping Diego Sanchez (19-3, 16KO).
It was a one-sided event as Rojas used his six-foot two-inch frame and long arm reach to perfection. He boxed beautifully at mid-range distance, with the weapon of choice being the straight left hand. The amateur standout couldn’t do anything wrong as he hit Sanchez with everything except the kitchen sink!
This was such a lopsided event that Sanchez’s corner vowed to stop the fight if things didn’t change in the next round. Rojas forced them to keep their word. After landing a barrage of unanswered punches, the corner stopped the fight in the seventh round.
Honestly this was a good win against a tailor-made opponent that hadn’t been in the ring since 2021. It is time to step up the level of opposition against someone that will test the young lion.
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