This is a night where boxing fans can put their eyes where their mouths and social media fingers often travel.

Fight fans who tire of watching hot prospects follow the pattern of beating retreads and faded former titlists while carefully positioning for the best suited available titlist don’t have to worry about that this weekend. This weekend, two hot talents are opting to test each other to get ahead in the race.

Saturday (Showtime, 10 PM EST), fans who were disappointed by some of what 2022 couldn’t deliver in its final quarter should be in front of the television here. This is the sort of non-title fight everyone says they want but don’t always support. In a thick lightweight division, two undefeated battlers in their 20s are trying to earn a shot in a division with an undisputed champion, Devin Haney, and a big-ticket draw, Gervonta Davis, the old-fashioned way. 

They’re throwing hands.

Let’s get into it. 

Stats and Stakes

Frank Martin

Age: 29

Title/Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’8   

Weight: 134 ¾ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: Detroit, Michigan

Record: 16-0, 12 KO

Press Rankings: #7 (Ring)

Record in Major Title Fights: N/A

Last Five Opponents: 98-21-4 (.813)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: None

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

Vs.

Michel Rivera

Age: 24

Title/Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’9   

Weight: 134 ½ lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 

Record: 24-0, 14 KO

Press Rankings: #8 (Ring)

Record in Major Title Fights: N/A 

Last Five Opponents: 86-7-2 (.916)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: None 

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Stuart Hall SD12, UD12  

The Pick: This is a fascinating match in part because we don’t know who is more vulnerable here. Rivera appears to be naturally bigger in frame, and is certainly taller and longer. The Dominican employs quality pressure, an excellent jab, and a whipping left hand to end combinations. If Rivera can pin Martin at the end of the stick and move forward, his downhill momentum could mean a big night.

Conversely, the southpaw style of Martin is the sort that can wreak havoc on anyone. Martin works behind an educated jab, throws hard to the body, and can be hard to find as he makes himself smaller in the pocket. Martin is also the bigger puncher here with a bit more experience in terms of opposition. Martin has seen three solid veterans in a row, including a Jackson Marinez who was arguably robbed against Rolly Romero and who had been rounds with Richard Commey.

Based on what’s been seen so far, the younger Rivera likely can afford a loss here and improve from it. This may even be the beginning of a real rivalry. At this point though, it’s Martin who appears more sure of himself in the ring, more rounded, and more dangerous. The pick is Martin by decision or late stoppage in a fight where his defense is more important than either man’s offense.    

Rold Picks 2022: 58-17

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com