July has been a good month for boxing, and Saturday looks to add to it. Before the mega fight between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford on July 29, Showtime hosts a card headlined by one of their blue-chip fighters. Lightweight contender Frank Martin (17-0, 12 KOs) faces Artem Harutyunyan (12-0, 7 KOs) in a fight determining where each fighter is in their development.
IS THIS THE FIGHT THAT CATAPULTS FRANK MARTIN TO THE TOP OF THE DIVISION?
Martin has gotten better each time he fought, which is why Showtime has placed him as the main event on Saturday night’s card. The question is, how good is he? The eye test will tell you he has the talent to compete for a title within the next 18 months, but it will all depend on what Devin Haney does in the immediate future. If he decides to vacate, Martin will be up for a title as soon as late this year or early next. If he doesn’t move up, Martin may have to wait closer to that 18–24-month mark before getting his shot. Before he can look at any of that, Martin needs to shine on Showtime and shine bright. He has everything set up for him; all he needs to do is perform to match the hype.
Harutyunyan will be tough in there, but Martin’s speed and Ring IQ give him the advantage. The one thing that Martin needs to avoid is having a slugfest which plays into his opponent’s style. If he can use his speed and footwork, Martin will shine and quickly become the most significant threat within the lightweight division. This weekend will determine if Martin is ready for the next step or if the promotional train needs to slow down.
Who will remain undefeated?
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 13, 2023
Watch #MartinHarutyunyan Saturday at 10PM ET/7PM PT on @Showtime. pic.twitter.com/nUOSLyH7QW
CAN ARTEM HARUTYUNYAN MAKE THIS U.S. DEBUT A GLORIOUS ONE?
Harutyunyan has the amateur pedigree to be a tough out against Martin. In previous fights, he has shown to be the aggressor but not only tends to throw wide shots but also tends to lunge forward with his punches. All these things play into Martin’s style if he is on that night. If he isn’t, Harutyunyan can use his aggressive style to his advantage by focusing on the body and slowing Martin down. More than likely, Martin will be anticipating a lot of this, so making the in-ring adjustments will be key for Harutyunyan to try and pull off the victory. Can he pull off the upset? He can if he fights a disciplined bout, but from the clips I have seen of him fighting, his conditioning will have to be at its best to give him a shot at a decision victory.
FRANK MARTIN VS. ARTEM HARUTYUNYAN PREDICTION
Martin is on the rise, and as much as Harutyunyan will give a good account for himself, Martin will get to him later in the fight, and the referee will call a halt to the action. Martin will be victorious by ninth-round stoppage.
The 2022 dissection of Jackson Marinez showcased @TheGhost_2016's full complement of skills, making him one of the most talked about up-and-comers in the 135lb division today.
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 12, 2023
Martin returns in a WBC Lightweight eliminator this Saturday on @ShowtimeBoxing. #MartinHarutyunyan pic.twitter.com/EqoQyRrhCk
FRANK MARTIN VS. ARTEM HARUTYUNYAN BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Frank Martin is the favorite at -1250, and Artem Harutyunyan is the underdog at +700.
Frank Martin: TKO/KO -200; Decision +175; Over 9 ½ rounds -115
Draw: +2000
Artem Harutyunyan: TKO/KO +1800; Decision +1200; Under 9 ½ rounds -115
Round Group Betting
Harutyunyan, Artem by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +6600
Harutyunyan, Artem by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +6600
Harutyunyan, Artem by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +5000
Harutyunyan, Artem by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +6600
With @TheGhost_2016 in Las Vegas for his fight this weekend on @ShowtimeBoxing and Coach Derrick James with him, @ErrolSpenceJr made the decision to spend the last three weeks of his camp in Sin City. #SpenceCrawford pic.twitter.com/KlMxOqJMZu
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 12, 2023
Martin, Frank by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +850
Martin, Frank by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +350
Martin, Frank by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +250
Martin, Frank by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +350
FRANK MARTIN VS. ARTEM HARUTYUNYAN FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, July 15
- Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 12:00 a.m. ET / 9:00 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS FRANK MARTIN VS. ARTEM HARUTYUNYAN?
- U.S.: Showtime
- UK: TBD
FRANK MARTIN VS. ARTEM HARUTYUNYAN CARD
- Frank Martin vs. Artem Harutyunyan, 12 rounds, WBC lightweight eliminator
- Elvis Rodriguez vs. Viktor Postol, 12 rounds, junior welterweights
- Freudis Rojas vs. Diego Sanchez, 10 rounds, welterweights
- Quinton Randall vs. Willie Jones, 8 rounds, welterweights
- Justin Cardona vs. Jose Perez, 8 rounds, junior welterweights
- Anthony Cuba vs. Angel Rebollar, 6 rounds, lightweights
- Alex Holley vs. Michael De La Cruz, 4 rounds, welterweights
