By: Sean Crose
The 15-0 junior welterweight Frank Martin made his Showtime debut Saturday night at the Alamodome as the cable network broadcast his battle with 19-2 late replacement Jackson Marinez. The southpaw Martin started right off in the scheduled 10 rounder by employing a wide stance while flicking out his jab. For his own part, Marinez was able to stand toe to toe with his man without being intimidated or blown out by the promising Martin.
Martin began to put his punches together in the second. He also began landing strong overhand lefts. Marinez continued to remain in front of Martin in the third while his opponent thudded to his body. The fourth saw Martin turn up the heat while Marinez attempted to rise to the occasion, feinting and flicking out a jab of his own. By the end of the round, it was actually Marinez who was the aggressor.
The fifth saw what looked like the beginning of a sea change in the fight as Marinez banged away at his man in the first half of the round. Martin came back in the second half with strong shots of his own, but the round belonged to late replacement Marinez. By the sixth, Marinez’ overhand right kept finding a home. Martin had a much better 7th, landing clean, telling shots.
Both men landed well in the 8th. Martin landed a bit better. It was a high octane bout, to be sure. Martin went on to land consistently in the 9th. By round’s end, Marinez went down from a blistering combination. He got up, thus surviving the round, but unless he did something truly impressive in the final chapter, the man would clearly be headed for defeat.
Martin went for broke in the 10th, leading the referee to stop the fight while Marinez was being battered.