Photos: Frank Martin Survives Scare in Decision Over Artem Harutyunyan

Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas - In a lightweight clash, Frank Martin (18-0, 12 KOs) had a big twelfth round to clinch a very close twelve round unanimous decision over Olympic bronze medalist Artem Harutyunyan (12-0, 7 KOs) in a WBC lightweight eliminator. (photos by Stephanie Trapp, Ryan Hafey)

The scores were 114-113, 115-112, 115-112 for Martin.

Harutyunyan came out pressing forward and had Martin on the back-foot in the first round. Martin was not throwing as much, Harutyunyan being very busy. In the second round, Harutyunyan continued to stay very busy and was really letting his hands go. Martin was starting to counter more often as the action heated up. 

Harutyunyan was doing very well in the third, unloading with a lot of punches and just outworking Martin. A close fourth, but Martin was counting and boxing well as Harutyunyan applied a lot of pressure. Harutyunyan's workrate gave Martin a lot of problems in the fifth. 

During the sixth, Martin buzzed Harutyunyan with a good hook and then unloaded with numerous heavy punches to the head and body. Harutyunyan seemed to get hurt several times, but managed to weather the storm. Harutyunyan bounced back in the seventh, with the better workrate. Both had moments in the eight, but Harutyunyan seemed to have the close edge.

The ninth saw Martin coming forward and trying to up the pace. Harutyunyan was catching him coming in. At the start of the tenth, Martin seemed to stun Harutyunyan to the head and body, but they had a clash of heads and that broke up the tempo. Martin went right back to work when the action resumed. Martin was unloading to the head and body. 

In the eleventh, Martin was coming forward and looking to do damage. Harutyunyan was mostly going to the body. In the final few seconds, Martin seemed to stun him with a few punches. In the twelfth and final round, Martin went right after Harutyunyan with hard punches. Harutyunyan was looking to hit and run, but Martin was cutting off the ring and seemed to hurt the left eye of Harutyunyan. In the final minute, Harutyunyan took a voluntary knee to clear his head and the knockdown was called. Once he got up, Harutyunyan ran to survive for the remainder of the round.