Sandor Martin signs multi-fight deal with Top Rank
Posted: 18 Jan 2024, 05:15
Sandor Martin signs multi-fight deal with Top Rank
Sandor Martin is Devin Haney’s mandatory challenger
Super lightweight contender Sandor Martin has joined forces with Top Rank, which will work alongside OPI Since 82 “to secure the Spaniard his first world title shot.”
Martin (42-3, 15 KOs) spent virtually the entire first eight years of his pro career in his native Spain, the sole exception a 2017 loss to Anthony Yigit in the latter’s home country of Sweden. He claimed the European super lightweight title two years later, but didn’t truly break out until 2021, when he sent Mikey Garcia into retirement in a noteworthy upset.
He appeared to do the same to Teofimo Lopez two fights later, only to wind up on the wrong end of a controversial split decision. Despite this setback, he still sits atop the WBC rankings, ostensibly guaranteeing him a shot at newly crowned champion Devin Haney. Alternatively, should Haney follow through with earlier claims and jump straight to 147, Martin will be in line to fight Richardson Hitchins for the vacant belt.
“Devin Haney calls himself ‘The Dream,’ but I am his worst nightmare. I will be the next WBC junior welterweight world champion. Whether he wants to lose his title to me in the ring or run up the scales to welterweight, the choice is his,” Martin said. “I am excited for the next chapter of my career with OPI Since 82 and Top Rank in my corner.”
Honestly, I’m happy for him. There’s no shortage of spoilery, headache-inducing, high-risk-low-reward fighters throughout history who never got a fair shake from the judges or the major opportunities their abilities merited, so it’s nice to see things work out for him.
Sandor Martin is Devin Haney’s mandatory challenger
Super lightweight contender Sandor Martin has joined forces with Top Rank, which will work alongside OPI Since 82 “to secure the Spaniard his first world title shot.”
Martin (42-3, 15 KOs) spent virtually the entire first eight years of his pro career in his native Spain, the sole exception a 2017 loss to Anthony Yigit in the latter’s home country of Sweden. He claimed the European super lightweight title two years later, but didn’t truly break out until 2021, when he sent Mikey Garcia into retirement in a noteworthy upset.
He appeared to do the same to Teofimo Lopez two fights later, only to wind up on the wrong end of a controversial split decision. Despite this setback, he still sits atop the WBC rankings, ostensibly guaranteeing him a shot at newly crowned champion Devin Haney. Alternatively, should Haney follow through with earlier claims and jump straight to 147, Martin will be in line to fight Richardson Hitchins for the vacant belt.
“Devin Haney calls himself ‘The Dream,’ but I am his worst nightmare. I will be the next WBC junior welterweight world champion. Whether he wants to lose his title to me in the ring or run up the scales to welterweight, the choice is his,” Martin said. “I am excited for the next chapter of my career with OPI Since 82 and Top Rank in my corner.”
Honestly, I’m happy for him. There’s no shortage of spoilery, headache-inducing, high-risk-low-reward fighters throughout history who never got a fair shake from the judges or the major opportunities their abilities merited, so it’s nice to see things work out for him.