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Frank Martin took a strong look at the lightweight landscape and came to the conclusion that there simply wasn’t enough room for both he and Michel Rivera. So, with both fighters creating a buzz, the two officially squared off in December of 2022.
After 12 incredibly lopsided rounds, Martin (17-0, 12 KOs) separated himself, winning a unanimous decision on the night. From there, Martin’s career trajectory pointed toward the Heaven’s. Ultimately, however, his next fight will be more of a lateral move, if not a step in the wrong direction.
On July 15th, at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada, Martin will square off against former Olympic bronze medalist, Artem Harutyunyan. Although Martin is giving him his undivided attention, the 28-year-old was hoping that he would be fighting the lightweight division’s elite, most notably, Isaac Cruz.
On paper, Cruz and Martin could have the sort of clash that would leave fans wanting more. There’s only one issue with a possible matchup between them, Martin believes that Cruz won’t give anyone outside of Gervonta Davis, the time of day.
“We’d be a great fight but I just feel like Isaac Cruz, he got his eyes so set on Tank,” Martin told FightHype.com during a recent sit-down. “He don’t wanna fight nobody who he feels is a threat and can mess up that opportunity. That’s what’s gonna happen if he gets in there with me.”
In December of 2021, Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) was randomly given the call to step in and face Davis on relatively short notice. Unknown and disregarded, many were expecting Davis to simply knock Cruz into another dimension. Yet, with the Mexican product giving him all he could handle, the 25-year-old built a name for himself, despite losing a close decision.
Since then, Cruz hasn’t fought a murderer’s row of opponents. He’s knocked out the supremely faded Yuriokis Gamboa and Eduardo Ramirez.
Martin, by and large, doesn’t blame Cruz for taking what he believes is the easy route. Deep down inside, Martin is convinced that Cruz knows exactly what would happen if they lined up against one another.
“That Tank opportunity is out the window.”