Frank Martin Returns To Face Rances Barthelemy On Oct. 2

Frank Martin will be at the top of the prelim card, fighting former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy on the Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman PPV event on October 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Martin’s Comeback Trail

Martin (18-1, 12 KOs) didn’t make it onto the main card on PBC on Prime Video PPV. Perhaps a big reason for that is he’s coming off an eighth-round knockout loss to WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis on June 15, 2024, and he’d chosen to sit outside of the ring for 16 months.

‘The Ghost’ Martin reportedly earned $1.5 million for the Tank Davis fight. With that nice payday, it’s understandable why he’s not been in a hurry to return to the ring.

Barthelemy’s Veteran Edge

Martin, 30, is moving up in weight to take on the 39-year-old Barthelemy (30-3-1, 15 KOs). On paper, Martin should have a good chance of winning based on his youth. However, he has never won a world title before, and he lacks the same experience that the Cuban Rances has.

The lack of activity for Martin in the last two years could be a problem for him. Before fighting Gervonta last year in June, Frank hadn’t fought in 11 months since his 12-round unanimous decision win over Artem Harutyunyan on July 15, 2023.

Martin had a tough time in that fight and needed to rally in the championship rounds to edge a decision by the scores 115-112, 115-112, and 114-113. That fight showed Martin’s level, or lack thereof. He’s a decent fighter, but not an elite-level one. For that reason, you have to give Barthelemy a good chance of winning. He’s got the pedigree from his two-division world titles and being on Cuba’s national team as an amateur.

Rances Promises a Reminder

“October 25 is the night I remind everyone who Rances Barthelemy is,” said Rances Barthelemy. “Frank Martin is a talented fighter, but I’ve been in deep waters before, and experience counts when the lights are brightest.”

Barthelemy has lost two out of his last three fights to Gary Antuanne Russell and Jose Ramirez. Those are fighters that Martin would very likely lose to as well if he’d fought them at 140.

“I’m excited to be back after people tried to bash me for taking one loss,” said Martin. “I took it as a lesson learned and I’m back mentally and physically at the top of my game. Rances is gonna have to deal with everything I went through, and he’s gonna feel it on every punch. I’m back and I’m pissed off and dangerous.”