By Steve Kim

Ryan 'Blue Chip' Martin will be facing the highly regarded Josh Taylor in the first round of the World Boxing Super Series junior welterweight tournament. Many believe that 'the Tartan Tornado' from Scotland is the favorite to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy.

But Martin (22-0, 12 KO's) remains undaunted.

"I actually seen his last fight versus (Viktor) Postol," Martin said from Big Bear, California at the Summit Gym, a couple of weeks ago. "Thought it was a great fight, thought it was a lot more competitive fight than some of the media outlets put it out to be. But don't get me wrong, Josh Taylor's a very good fighter. He's one of the top fighters in the division and I think that's one of the fights that's going to take everything that I have to come out victorious."

As one of the top four seeds, Taylor got to select his first opponent in the WBSS.

"I had a little bit of an idea but you never know until it's all said and done. I was a little bit surprised but at the end of the day no matter what seed I am, it's a tournament and the top eight fighters in the world fighting it out and you just have to fight and win," said Martin, who is training under the direction of Abel Sanchez.

"It's a good tournament for the sport of boxing and especially for the division."

Martin jumped at the opportunity to be in this tournament, he told BoxingScene.com - "before it was even announced that th 140-pound division was going to be in it, Abel told me a little bit but I told them,'I want to be a part of it. It's my chance to get fights and be known more.' So I jumped right on it, I pushed Tom(Loeffler) and Abel to get in it and it happened and I'm just ready for it.

"Its exciting and it's going to be fireworks."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.