Undefeated lightweight contender, Ryan Martin, is looking to continue his rise in the division as he enters his biggest fight to date, a PPV opener against 17-1 fighter, Bryant Cruz. Martin, 17-0 (10 KO’s) is only 24 years old but he has taken steady steps up in competition and he is now set to face his toughest foe in front of the boxing fans at the historic Madison Square Garden. The lightweight division is quickly becoming one of the most talent rich in the sport and Martin hopes to add his name to the list of top fighters in the weight class.
In my interview with Ryan Martin, I discuss with him his upcoming fight this weekend against Bryant Cruz and get his views on what kind of challenge he sees in front of him. Martin also talks about what he learned from the amateurs and how he has improved since turning professional. Additionally, Ryan talks about facing Robert Easter Jr, fighting for a world title and gives his official prediction for Gennady Golovkin vs. Daniel Jacobs and his own fight. Here is what Ryan Martin had to say.
Jenna J: You have a big fight coming up against Bryant Cruz on the undercard of the Golovkin-Jacobs fight. How do you feel about this opportunity?
Ryan Martin: It feels good to be on such a big card in one of the best places to fight, New York City. It’s super exciting and I’m ready to fulfill this moment.
Jenna J: Bryant Cruz has an extensive amateur background, what do you think of him as an opponent?
Ryan Martin: I think he’s going to bring out the best in me. He’s a very good boxer but at the end of the day, I’m going to in there and do my job, do my thing. I’m very focused, I think this is the most focused I’ve ever been for a fight and I’m super ready for this moment because it’s going to be on pay-per-view and everybody is going to be watching. I have to show up and show the world what I bring to the table.
Jenna J: Can you talk about what you have learned in the amateur ranks that you can bring to the professional game?
Ryan Martin: My quickness and my speed. He won’t bring anything to the table that I haven’t seen throughout my pro camps and my amateur career, I’ve seen a lot. I think that has prepared me well for this fight, everything that I have learned from being in camp with Golovkin and my coach here in Cleveland. I have a perfect gameplan for this fight and he won’t bring anything that I haven’t seen to this fight.
Jenna J: What do you think of the lightweight division and some of the fighters that are out there?
Ryan Martin: The lightweight division has been very exciting this year and that’s good, to have the spotlight on the lightweight division because it’s been gone for a while. We have Robert Easter, Garcia, Linares, they’re all great champions and I’m excited that they are bringing the spotlight back to the lightweight division. The lightweight division is popping right now.
Jenna J: You fought Robert Easter Jr. in the Olympic qualifying tournament and came up a bit short. Are you looking forward to maybe getting a second crack at him?
Ryan Martin: Of course, our fight in the amateurs was a good fight, but I feel that I’m whole different fighter from then to now. I’m more powerful, I’m more explosive, I’m more well-rounded in the boxing world. I’m definitely looking forward to another crack at it. I was in camp with him one time and I helped him get ready for his world title fight, so we have a good relationship, but at the end of the day this is a business and it’s part of boxing. I’m very competitive and I would love to get another crack at it.
Jenna J: What do you think of the Golovkin vs. Jacobs fight?
Ryan Martin: I see a very explosive fight. I think Jacobs is going to be the most athletic fighter that Golovkin has faced so far, but I also think that Golovkin is going to be the most powerful fighter that Jacobs has fought so far. I think it’s going to be fireworks and just being in camp with ‘GGG’ and seeing him prepare, he takes everything very seriously and he’s 100% ready for this fight, mentally and physically. I’m looking forward to it.
Jenna J: How do you expect your fight with Bryant Cruz to play out from the opening bell to the finish?
Ryan Martin: Me dominating from the opening bell, showing that I’m the bigger and faster guy in the fight. That’s how it’s going to play out until it ends.
Jenna J: What are your goals? What do you hope to attain by the end of 2017?
Ryan Martin: Well, I want to be a candidate for knockout of the year. I want to be in the top 10 or top 15 of each sanctioning body. I want to improve my skills and being more recognized by the networks and fans. I want to prove to myself that I belong at the top.
Jenna J: If you are offered a title shot at the end of this year, would you take it or do you think you need more time to be ready for that shot?
Ryan Martin: I would definitely take it. Opportunities like that don’t come around a lot in this boxing world because there are so many fighters. If the opportunity knocks, I will be ready for it and I will take it.
Not sure how much better he will do with Easter then he did before, but the guy looks promising and I hope he shines on the GGG card.
Not sure who’s going to win the GGG-JACOBS fight, both got power but GGG is getting old. Will be interesting. Looking forward to seeing Ryan fight as I have not seen him yet.
WANT TO BE A STAR, THEN YOU GOT TO SCORE A IMPRESSIVE KO ON THIS CARD. PEOPLE DONT REMEMBER POINTS WINS.
I was only going to tune into the main and the co main, but after hearing Ryan I want to see his fight and see what he has. Boxing needs new stars and if he can deliver on the big stage that will show what direction he is going in.
Muy de acuerdo contigo Karla, fui vendedor de Royal en EEUU por unos años, no me fue muy bien pero tampoco tan mal. A nadie se le obliga a comprar nada, todo depende de las habilidades del vendedor. Gaston Agüera de Argentina.