.png)
Despite the initial buzz surrounding Frank Martin's shot at the vacant WBC lightweight title against Shakur Stevenson, the noise has died down, leaving some fans dissatisfied with the 28-year-old fighter. While Martin had eagerly accepted the opportunity to face the former Olympic silver medalist, he withdrew from the bout, citing financial disagreements as the primary reason.
Stevenson went on to secure a victory over Edwin De Los Santos, leaving Martin on the hunt for his next opponent. Typically reserved in his approach to calling out other fighters, Martin has made an exception this time, expressing a strong desire to face William Zepeda.
“I really want William Zepeda.”
However, securing a bout with Zepeda might prove challenging, considering the Mexican contender's explosive victories over Jaime Arboleda and Mercito Gesta, establishing him as a force in the lightweight division.
Complicating matters further, Martin is associated with Premier Boxing Champions, while Zepeda fights under the promotional banner of Golden Boy Promotions. The inevitable challenges at the negotiating table may pose hurdles to the desired matchup, but Martin is determined to make it happen.
With Devin Haney's move to the 140-pound division, the lightweight titles may become vacant soon. Martin, currently ranked highly in all four sanctioning bodies, sees an opportunity to elevate his status further. The WBA, in particular, has taken notice, ranking him as their third-best contender, with Zepeda holding the second spot.
In the coming months, Martin plans to engage with his team to explore the possibility of a showdown with Zepeda and to potentially secure the WBA belt. Despite the setbacks, Martin remains focused on redemption and making a statement in the competitive lightweight division.