Frank Martin signs promotional contract with Top Rank, due to fight in the fall

Former lightweight world title challenger and now WBA No. 8-ranked junior welterweight Frank Martin has signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank and, according to his new promoters, will return in the fall, continuing to campaign at 140lbs. 

Originally from Detroit, the 19-1-1 (13 KOs) Martin moved to Indiana to pursue his boxing career at age 18, eventually settling in Indianapolis in 2013 to fight out of the Sarge Johnson Boxing Center.

Despite his relatively late start, Martin had a standout amateur career, compiling a 52-6 record, winning first place at the U.S. National Golden Gloves tournament, and second at the U.S. National championships in 2016.

In the finals of the 2016 Golden Gloves, Martin defeated current WBC interim junior middleweight beltholder Vergil Ortiz Jnr, dropping Ortiz on his way to winning by 3-2 decision.

Martin turned professional in October 2017 and won his first 18 professional fights, including a fourth-round stoppage of Romero Duno, a 10-round drubbing of then-unbeaten Michel Rivera and a unanimous 12-round decision over 2016 Olympian Artem Harutyunyan.

Martin’s only career loss came by eighth-round knockout to Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a June 2024 challenge for the WBA lightweight belt. At the time of the knockout, all three judges had Davis ahead by four rounds to three.

Martin then moved up to junior welterweight in December 2025 and scored a one-punch fourth-round knockout over two-division champion Rances Barthelemy. 

He was last seen fighting to a draw with then 17-2 Nahir Albright in February of this year.  

“I’m excited to continue my journey under the Top Rank banner,” Martin said of the signing. “The company has a history of building stars. I want to continue building out my resume, become champion and stamp my legacy as one of them ones in the sport.”

Before Top Rank, Martin was previously promoted by former unified welterweight Errol Spence Jnr’s Man Down Promotions and trained by Derrick James. Martin also fought for Premier Boxing Champions.

The 31-year-old switched to head trainer Buddy McGirt in late 2025 ahead of his knockout over Barthelemy.

The promotional deal with Top Rank was reportedly facilitated by Martin’s manager Adrian Clark.

"Frank Martin has established himself as an elite talent, and the biggest opportunities of his career are still ahead of him," said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. "The super lightweight division is filled with compelling matchups, and with Frank's talent, he is positioned perfectly to capitalize. His future is bright as we work toward securing his ultimate world championship goal."