Frank Martin will return for the first time since his June 2024 knockout defeat to Gervonta “Tank” Davis, taking on Rances Barthelemy in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.
Martin vs. Barthelemy will head up a three-fight show on Amazon’s Prime Video on December 6, streaming for free ahead of that evening’s pay-per-view event topped by Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz against Lamont Roach at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The card will also feature undefeated Isaac Lucero dueling Roberto Valenzuela Jnr in a 10-rounder at 154lbs. In the show’s opener, unbeaten junior lightweight Luis Nunez will meet Hector Sosa in a fight set for 10 rounds.
The broadcast is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m Eastern Time.
Martin, 18-1 (12 KOs), is moving up to 140lbs following his eighth-round KO loss to Davis at lightweight, during which he was competitive early but forced into an increasingly desperate retreat as the rounds progressed. Prior to his first loss, Martin beat Artem Harutyunyan and Michel Rivera over the distance, dropping them both along the way.
“I’m excited to be back after people tried to bash me for taking one loss,” said Martin in a press release. “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.”
Barthelemy, 30-3-1 (15 KOs), hasn’t fought since April 2024 and has lost two of his last three, falling by controversial stoppage to Gary Antuanne Russell in July 2022 and dropping a unanimous decision to Jose Ramirez in his last bout.
“December 6 is the night I remind everyone who Rances Barthelemy is,” said Barthelemy in the press release. “Frank Martin is a talented fighter, but I’ve been in deep waters before, and experience counts when the lights are brightest. I’m coming with new hunger, sharper focus, and the fire of a man chasing one more world title run. Fans tuning in are going to see me determined to leave everything in the ring. I’m not here to survive; I’m here to dominate and make sure my name is back on everyone’s radar.”
Lucero, 17-0 (13 KOs), last scored a KO in May over fellow unbeaten Omar Valenzuela. His bout with a second straight Valenzuela was initially scheduled for the undercard of Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman but was moved after Fundora’s injury led to that show’s cancellation.
“Roberto Valenzuela Jnr is a tough veteran who’s faced some of the division’s best, and he’s coming into the ring on a winning streak, but this is my time and I’m gonna show why on December 6,” said Lucero. “I’m very grateful to my team for this opportunity. My trainer Bob Santos will have me ready to showcase my skills and put on a great show when the bell rings.”
Valenzuela Jnr, 31-5 (29 KOs) has won his last five fights, all inside the distance. Prior to that, Xander Zayas stopped him in five rounds.
“I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” said Valenzuela. “My opponent is a very strong and skilled boxer, but I’m 100% ready to leave San Antonio victorious. With both of our styles, I’m sure that we’re going to give the fans a fight that all of Mexico and the rest of the world will be talking about for many years.”
