Michel Rivera-Frank Martin Battle In Intriguing Lightweight Bout

Soon in Las Vegas, Nevada, two top, unbeaten lightweight prospects, Michel Rivera and Frank Martin, will tangle with the winner greatly improving his chances at a possible title shot later in 2023.

Saturday Rivera-Martin is the headlining fight of the final PBC/Showtime Boxing card of 2022 from the Cosmopolitan Hotel on the Vegas Strip,

Last @ShowtimeBoxing card of 2022 looking like all-action 👊

Watch tonight's tripleheader at 10PM ET/7PM PT on @Showtime.#RiveraMartin pic.twitter.com/Ql4wZOZGgE

— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) December 17, 2022

From the Showtime release leading up to the bout,

Top lightweight contenders Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera and Frank “The Ghost” Martin went face to face on Thursday before they meet in a scintillating WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator headlining action at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Rivera vs. Martin will pit unbeaten top 135-pound contenders against each other in one of boxing’s most loaded divisions. The matchup is widely considered a step up for both fighters, as the Dominican Republic-native Rivera duels the Derrick James-trained Martin to determine who will be next in line for a world title shot.

Rivera doesn’t lack confidence

“We know that Martin is a good boxer with abilities, but I’m the guy,” Rivera said through an interpreter Thursday. “I’m bigger and stronger. He’s strong and confident too, but I’m more confident. This is my time and I have to do everything to win this fight.

“This fight is everything. I believe that I’m more talented, but I like that he’s confident. For me, this is the best fight of the year. Nobody should miss this fight. It’s not normal for two undefeated guys to put their records on the line. I’m telling everyone, you can’t miss this fight. This is going to be amazing.”

“He’s a southpaw, but that’s nothing new. I’ve been fighting with guys more experienced than him for a while. We know he’s got Errol Spence Jr. behind him, but that doesn’t mean anything in the ring. I’m one hundred percent confident that I’m winning this fight.”

Watch Dan Rafael and me give a gambling preview, etc. of Rivera-Martin from our Friday BetUS show on Youtube by clicking below,

As for the Texan Martin, he said Thursday, “come fight night, we’ll see who’s stronger and faster. He may have more length, but we’ll see who dominates and who hits the hardest on Saturday.

“I’m ready and I’m prepared. I put in all the hard work in the gym. Everything is done. Come fight night, I’m ready to put it all on the line. I know that I’m coming out with the victory because of all the overtime I put in while training.

“I’m coming to dominate. He’s a good fighter, but on Saturday night, I’m here to show him exactly what kind of fighter I am.

“This is the fight that’s going to get me to the next level. I’m not looking past Rivera, but my main thing is just to get in there and capitalize off the game plan and get the victory. Then we’ll keep going up from there.”

Rivera is 24-0, 14 KOs but this is clearly the most talented, accomplished opponent he’s faced. Meanwhile, Martin, who trains in the same gym with unified welterweight champ Errol Spence, is 16-0, 12 KOs, and like Rivera, this is his best competition to date.

Now, the winner will be elevated to championship contention down the road.