In a clash between unbeaten lightweights for the WBA Intercontinental title, Frank Martin (13-0, 10 KOs) clinically destroyed Jerry Perez (13-1, 10 KOs) in seven rounds on Tuesday night at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Martin dropped Perez in round seven and got the stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 2:59.
“I saw the shot coming the round before,” said Martin, who is trained by renowned coach Derrick James. “I was going to the left looking for it, but I couldn’t find the right distance. In the next round, Derrick told me he was leaning and that helped me find the distance to land it.”
Martin controlled the fight with his movement and jab early and set the pace as the busier fighter, throwing 405 punches to Perez’s 222 according to CompuBox. He more than doubled Perez’s output of punches landed with a 100 to 47 advantage.
“I felt good in there,” said Martin. “I just followed the game plan that Derrick gave me. He told me to go out there and use my feet. I hurt him at every step of the fight. Everything Derrick asked me to do was working.
“He was physically strong but there wasn’t anything he did that affected me. This win is a big blessing. I’m just going to stay humble and keep moving forward and getting better.”
Unbeaten middleweight Armando Reséndiz (12-0, 9 KOs) took a hard-fought eight round split decision over Quilisto Madera (12-3, 8 KOs). Scores were 78-74, 77-75 Reséndiz, 77-75 Madera.
Super middleweight Cameron Rivera (9-6-3, 6 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Burley Brooks (6-2, 5 KOs). Scores were 58-55, 57-56, 57-56. Brooks was deducted a point in round six that cost him a draw.
Super lightweight Jesús Silveyra (8-6-2, 3 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Amon Rashidi (8-1-1, 6 KOs) by scores of 79-73, 79-73, 78-74.
In a super welterweight bout, Travon Marshall (1-0, 1 KO) scored an impressive first round knockout victory over Christian Marron (0-2) 33 seconds into their fight.
Ezequiel Flores (1-0) won a unanimous decision over Juan Muro (0-1) after four rounds of super bantamweight action.
Looks like Frank M. could be one to watch in the next couple of years. This was his first “test” of note, but he breezed through.