Ryan Martin Breaks Down, Drops, Stops Florez in Four

by Francisco Salazar

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Ryan Martin did not let inactivity due to an injury in last fight affect him.

Instead, he sent a message to the other lightweights.

Martin batteries and broke down Luis Florez, scoring two knockdowns before the fight was stoped in the fourth round before a sold-out crowd at The Avalon Theatre.

Martin (21-0, 12 knockouts) was making his return to the ring since winning a 10 round split decision over Francisco Rojo of Mexico on Sept. 16. During the fight, Martin suffered a fracture in his right hand, which led to him wearing a splint for several times.

Florez (23-9 1 NC, 19 KO) of Colombia was coming off a 10 round unanimous decision loss to Anthony Peterson on Jan. 20. The fight was overturned to a no contest due to Peterson failing a post-fight drug test

It was all Martin from the opening round as he put Florez on the defensive. Martin was very sharp in initiating exchanges, including double left hooks to the body or overhand right hands to the head.

Martin scored a knockdown in round three, dropping Florez with a left hook to the body. Florez beat the count, but looked like he was in survival mode.

The 25-year-old Martin continued to punish Florez during the following round. A right hand to the head dropped Florez to the canvas, prompting referee Jack Reiss to stop the bout at 30 seconds.

Martin is ranked in the top 10 in three of boxing's major sanctioning bodies, with a number six ranking by the WBO.

The Martin-Florez bout headlines a seven-bout 'Hollywood Fight Night' card. Tuesday night also marked the debut of 360 Promotions.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing