Ryan Martin Wraps Up Camp With Porter, Waits Out SMS

By Jake Donovan

His current status is unclear due to his promoter—50 Cent’s SMS Promotions—having recently filed for bankruptcy, but that hasn’t prevented Ryan ‘Blue Chip’ Martin from continuing to improve his own game.

The aptly-nicknamed blue-chip prospect was a main sparring used to help Shawn Porter prepare for his June 20 showdown with Adrien Broner in Las Vegas. Martin was able to raise his game against the former welterweight titlist, also getting in valuable gym time with Shane Mosley Jr., son of the former three-division champ Shane Sr.

"It's been a great experience helping Shawn prepare for Broner,” noted Martin (13-0, 8KOs). “He has a tremendous amount of work ethic and has a good game plan going into the fight. I want to thank my team for arranging this opportunity with Team Porter and I'm glad Shawn and his father extended the invitation to me.”

Porter-Broner will headline the June 20 edition of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), live in primetime Saturday evening on free-to-air NBC. Given the battle of Ohio theme in place (despite it taking place in Las Vegas), Martin—Chatanooga-born but now based out of Cleveland—plans to stick around in Sin City to see if the fighting pride of Akron can conquer Cincinnati’s top active fighter. 

“I’m actually hoping for a good seat because I know this is going to be fireworks,” Martin believes. 

The 22-year old is coming off of a 1st round knockout win over Ivan Zavala this past May in Houston. His 64 seconds of ring time came on the undercard of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’ three-round destruction of James Kirkland, who—like Martin—fights under the SMS Promotions banner.

The promotional stable remains in the dark as to its fighting future until the company brass is able to either map out the future or allow its fighters to claim free-agent status. For now, gym work with top fighters will have to suffice, staying ready for whenever a big opportunity comes to the surface.

It’s not an ideal situation for a rising prospect like Martin, but the situation is what it is until further clarification is provided. 

“Getting to work with a world class fighter like Shawn Porter will only make him that much better,” commented Tim VanNewhouse, Martin’s manager. “We have faith that the future is bright, regardless of present matters. ‘Blue Chip’ Martin is destined for greatness, and we won’t let anything stand in the way of his reaching all of his career goals.” 

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox