In a major PBC pay-per-view card, hosted on Amazon Prime on June 15th, lightweight phenom Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis (29-0) is set to square off against the elusive Frank ‘Ghost’ Martin (18-0).
Emerging from the shadows, the Detroit native would hardly have been in anyone’s consideration when discussing Davis’s next opponent.
With lightweight boasting such names as Shakur Stevenson (21-0) and Vasyl Lomachenko (18-3) at champion level, as well as such surging contenders as William Zepeda (30-0) and Raymond Muratalla (20-0), Martin seemed to be a questionable pick for the Baltimore southpaw.
And, with many doubting his ability to withstand against the powerful ‘Tank’, can Frank Martin scare Davis into submission, or will he be exorcised for all to see?
The spectral fighter, now based in Indianapolis, Indiana, had a strong amateur career, besting names such as Abraham Nova (23-2) and Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0). In beating Ortiz Jr, Martin would also be crowned the winner of the 2016 National Golden Gloves.
Martin would demonstrate an aptitude for the sport, with natural athleticism. This, alongside a technically impressive boxing pedigree, would benefit him significantly as he turned his attention to the professional ranks.
The burgeoning ‘Ghost’ would turn professional in 2017, beginning a two-year KO/TKO streak against lesser opposition, in which time, he would exhibit a sharp, liquid style and solid power, particularly being on the smaller end of those in the division.
Moving into early 2020, Martin would make his Showtime debut, on a Mayweather Promotions card featuring Keith Hunter (15-2) up against Sanjarbek Rakhmanov (13-3-1). The smaller show gave him ample space to prove himself to the wider boxing public, as he would beat Reymond Yanong (13-10-1) via TKO in the fourth round of a scheduled six.
This would open up a massive opportunity to the phantasmal Detroit-born fighter; taking to the undercard of Errol Spence Jr. (28-1) versus Danny Garcia (37-3), Martin would TKO Tyrone Luckey (16-24-4) in the fifth. Luckey had also suffered defeats at the hands of Ryan Garcia (25-1) and Jamaine Ortiz (17-2-1) and would go on to hold the American Boxing Federation Mid America Super Lightweight title, despite being a benchmark of the division.
From this success, Martin would top the bill against Jerry Perez (14-4-1), who he would knock out in the seventh round of his first ten round bout. The outside fighter would demonstrate that his shots could sting.
On the biggest stage of his career thus far, he would appear on the undercard of Pacquiao-Ugas, where he would claim a unanimous decision win against ‘The Polish Prince’, Ryan Kielczweski (31-6). Following this up in January of 2022, he would TKO ‘Ruthless’ Filipino fighter Romero Duno (26-4) within four rounds.
It was apparent that, when at his best, Martin was destined for the top. However, issues would arise. In his latest bout, against the at-the-time undefeated Artem Harutyunyan (12-1), at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Harutyunyan would pressure Frank, delivering body-blows that Martin was unable to answer. This, as well as a troubling inability to cut the ring off at vital moments within the bout, would challenge Martin throughout.
Playing to his strengths, Martin would beat the Armenian-born animal by a hair on the scorecards. However, these glaring flaws may present issues for Martin when facing ‘Tank’.
A hearty and powerful inside fighter with the ability to end bouts with a single blow, Martin will have to bring all of his skills to the table. Using his athleticism, Martin must make the ring his own domain, using keen ring IQ to keep ‘Tank’ at bay.
‘Tank’ is a fighter that is aware of his startling power and, as such, work-rate and activity will be vital in the Martin game-plan.
However, come June 15th, the world will see if the searing beef between these two lightweights will be resolved.