Undefeated high contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin dominated from begin to end in successful a unanimous resolution over the beforehand unbeaten Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera in a star-making efficiency and WBA Light-weight Title Eliminator that headlined motion dwell on SHOWTIME Saturday night time from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in an occasion offered by Premier Boxing Champions.
“That is simply what I do,” stated Martin, who dropped Rivera within the seventh spherical and received by scores of 120-107, 118-109 and 117-110. “I felt good tonight. There have been some issues that I noticed in there that I did not capitalize on, however we went in there and bought the job performed. My nook was telling me to remain on the skin, be careful for the suitable hand and work the sport plan. I used to be utilizing my legs and I may have performed it much more. It labored for us tonight, however there’s a number of room for enchancment and we’ll preserve working.”
The 27-year-old Martin (25-0, 14 KOs) managed the motion all through, displaying superior pace and boxing acumen, as he rapidly closed the attain benefit held by Rivera. Promoted by unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and coached by high coach Derrick James, Martin has put himself into a main place within the star-studded 135-pound division.
“It is a blessing to be within the fitness center with Errol and [undisputed 154-pound champion] Jermell [Charlo] and so they preserve me going,” stated Martin. “I am at all times watching Errol when he is sparring and I am at all times asking questions and seeking to get higher. Seeing champions on high like them, I am getting nothing however recreation from them.”
The 24-year-old Rivera (16-1, 12 KOs) appeared to battle with Martin’s southpaw assault, as he repeatedly ate straight left palms, particularly within the early rounds. Rivera had his moments the place his size allowed him to land proper palms, however Martin’s footwork routinely allowed him to evade additional injury.
“I went in there for a win, I did not come right here to lose,” stated Rivera. “I used to be feeling fairly good in the present day, however by spherical 4 or 5, I feel I began to really feel the results of the burden reduce. I do not make excuses, however I am a giant man for the division.”
In spherical seven Martin delivered his signature second of the combat, placing Rivera down onerous with a straight left-right hook mixture. Rivera confirmed mettle in rising to his ft, however Martin saved the assault coming, mixing in much more physique pictures on his weary opponent.
“We imagine in ‘Man Down’,” stated Martin. “It’s shield your self always. He bought caught slipping and he went down.”
“I am fairly quick, however it’s important to be quicker to combat a man like this,” stated Rivera. “I used to be too gradual tonight. I attempted to make use of my jab to maintain him off me. He was the higher man in the present day. I will not take something away from him. I do not wish to discover ways to lose. I am simply going to work onerous to win once more. I do not need dropping to really feel regular. I work to win.”
Martin held a statistical benefit in response to CompuBox, outlanding Rivera 174 to 67 and connecting on 31% of his pictures, in comparison with 15% for Rivera. Martin’s protection was additionally key all through, as he held Rivera under double-digit punches landed in each spherical. After the combat, Martin set his sights on the remainder of the elite 135-pounders.
“I simply imagine in myself and I imagine in our workforce,” stated Martin. “We all know what we’re doing and we’re working persistently. We believed in it and believed that we’re prepared for any of the highest fighters, so allow us to get them. We’re able to eat.”
Within the co-main occasion, unbeaten contender Vladimir Shishkin (14-0, 8 KOs) grinded out a hard-fought unanimous resolution victory over former world champion Jose Uzcategui (32-5, 27 KOs) to win the IBF Tremendous Middleweight Title Eliminator.
“I got here to America, and I have been residing right here for the previous few years, to achieve my aim and turn into world champion,” stated Shishkin, who received by scores of 115-113 and 117-111 twice. ”It is a massive step in that path. It was a giant probability for me and I took benefit of it.”
Each fighters got here out aggressive from the outset, seeking to land highly effective proper palms from shut quarters. That toe-to-toe mentality maintained all through the combat, as they steadily wrestled for place on the within. Because the combat progressed it was Shishkin’s mixture punching that helped separate him from Uzcategui on the judges’ playing cards.
“I feel I did sufficient to win the combat, however the judges didn’t see it that method,” stated Uzcategui. “He was clutching and grabbing me and pulling me in, and I used to be by no means in a position to get sufficient clear pictures.”
Shishkin averaged 63 punches thrown per spherical, in comparison with Uzcategui’s 43, and outlanded his opponent 38-20 over the ultimate two frames. Spherical seven noticed each fighters enhance their aggression from the bell, however neither was in a position to critically damage the opposite, though each sported swelling over their eyes.
“I felt in management all through the combat,” stated Shishkin. “I am on the next stage now, so the fights are going to be harder. He pushed me onerous. It was one thing new for me.”
Together with his robust end, and a 238 to 162 total edge in punches landed, Shishkin was in a position to clinch the victory. The win places the unbeaten Shishkin into place to problem for a title at 168 kilos.
“I would like all the massive names at 168 kilos,” stated Shishkin. “Canelo is the champion proper now and I will be prepared to offer him all he can deal with.”
Within the telecast opener, Vincent Astrolabio (18-3, 13 KOs) scored a powerful and dominant sixth-round stoppage over Nikolai Potapov (23-3-1, 11 KOs) of their IBF Bantamweight Title Eliminator.
“I’m very pleased with the victory,” stated Astrolabio. “This was my first time within the U.S. and I am grateful to Manny Pacquiao and my complete workforce for this chance. I felt very robust towards my opponent. Similar to I did towards Guillermo Rigondeaux, and that gave me confidence for this combat.”
The Filipino Astrolabio began the bout in robust kind, sending Potapov to the canvas for the primary time in his profession with a charging left hook late in spherical one. Potapov was in a position to get to his ft and gained some momentum in spherical two by countering the aggressive Astrolabio, successful the spherical on two judges’ playing cards.
In spherical three nonetheless, Potapov took a clear punch that brought about blood to begin leaking out of his proper eye, hindering his offensive output. In spherical 4, Astrolabio caught him with one other counter left hook, which shocked Potapov and compelled him to take a knee in his nook.
Because the combat hit spherical six, Astrolabio once more upped his strain and damage Potapov halfway by way of the spherical with a ferocious uppercut adopted by a straight proper hand. This proved to be the decisive blow, as referee Robert Hoyle counted Potapov out 1:26 into the spherical. On the time of the stoppage, Astrolabio held a 74-58 edge in punches landed and 56-45 benefit in energy punches.
“I’ve nothing to say about my efficiency, he was simply the higher fighter tonight,” stated Potapov.
“I’ll combat whoever I can, however my dream is to turn into world champion,” stated Astrolabio. “I wish to combat for the belts. I am so grateful that I had this and that I used to be in a position to give everybody a knockout. That is the largest second of my profession and I will preserve pushing to combat the most effective.”
