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Frank Martin continues his comeback on February 21 vs. Nahir Albright

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Image: Frank Martin continues comeback Feb. 21 vs Nahir Albright

While much of the mainstream narrative still revolves around his loss to Gervonta Davis in 2024, Martin has already begun the process of overcoming that loss.

Martin continues his comeback from a knockout victory in December

Last December, Martin reminded the boxing world of his ceiling when he defeated veteran Rances Barthelemy in the fourth round. This performance proved he could take his power to a higher weight class while answering direct questions about his mental state. However, defeating 40-year-old Barthelemy is a very specific task. Dealing with a younger, more tenacious performance grinder like Albright is an entirely different challenge, which makes the second foray into superlight where the real evaluation begins.

Albright is from Philadelphia and has a reputation in the ring as Philly Tough. Representing the Philadelphia Smoke gym, he specializes in weighty pressing, which can be a nightmare for technical catchers. Albright focuses on making fights more enjoyable by closing the distance and forcing his opponents into physical exchanges that drain the gas tank.

“Francis Barthelemy is vintage. He’s had enough. He’s done. We expected Frank to do it,” Albright’s coach, Rashiem Jefferson Sr., said. YSM sports mediaminimizing the significance of Frank Martin’s victory over Barthelemy last December.

For Martin, the tactical challenge is clear. His success has always depended on perfect timing and the ability to maintain separation. Against Davis, the pressure finally broke his rhythm and led to a stoppage in the eighth round. While Martin looked edged against Barthelemy, he now needs to prove he can keep a younger pursuer like Albright from fighting. Dealing with a swarm without giving up ground is an indispensable skill for any 140-pound title contender.

Albright enters the field as a hazardous underdog who has already proven he can get along with top-tier prospects. He led Keyshawn Davis to a razor-thin majority decision in 2023. Although this result was later changed to a no-contest, the fight showed that Albright had a formidable driving force. A win over a name like Martin would catapult him up the rankings and immediately derail Ghost’s comeback plans, which are currently in the works.

“Woo comes off this win with everything behind him. I think Woo is on the right track and we’ll get the job done,” Jefferson said of Albright’s confidence following his win over Kelvin Davis last June.

This meeting is more than just another date on the calendar. This represents an significant crossroads for Martin, who needs to dominate to prove that his move to super lightweight is complete and that he belongs among the division’s elite, just like Richardson Hitchins or Jose Ramirez. A loss or even a narrow victory suggests that the plan left in the wake of the Davis fight remains a problem. Martin cannot afford to look vulnerable on such a massive stage if he intends to remain a factor in a crowded and hazardous division.

The Tale of the Tape: Martin vs. Albright

Function Frank Martin Nahir Albright
Record 19-1 (13KOs) 17-2 (7 KOs)
Age 31 30
Height 5’8″ 5’8″
Reception 68″ 70.5″
Stance Southpaw Orthodox
Location Indianapolis, IN Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The last victory KO4 Rances Barthelemy EXIT by Kelvin Davis
Betting odds -320 (Favorites)

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Roy Jones Jr sums up Tyson Fury’s chances of beating top-ranked Lennox Lewis

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Roy Jones Jr sums up Tyson Fury’s chances of beating a prime Lennox Lewis

Britain has produced some great heavyweights in recent years, ending an almost century-long curse and seeing success in the division ever since. Predicting the outcome of the clash between two of the best fighters in the country, Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury, Roy Jones Jr said it would be a “great fight”.

Bob Fitzsimmons became the first British world heavyweight champion in 1897, and he and Jones remain the only two fighters in boxing history to have won both middleweight and heavyweight world titles.

However, Great Britain struggled for success in the division after the Fitzsimmons fight, unable to claim heavyweight supremacy until Lennox Lewis became WBC world champion in 1992. Britain has since crowned its title 11th world heavyweight championFabio Wardley, who follows in the footsteps of Fury and Anthony Joshua.

In an interview with Grosvenor CasinoJones said he would give Lewis an advantage over the “Gypsy King” if they met in their prime.

“Tyson Fury vs. Lennox Lewis? That would be a great fight, but my first thought was Lennox Lewis because of his power. But my second thought was also that Tyson Fury was great at making adjustments. I would go with Lennox Lewis.”

At least one heavyweight world title is expected to remain in a Briton’s hands for some time, with Daniel Dubois scheduled to face another Briton, Fabio Wardley, for the WBO belt next month.

In the meantime, we hope 21-year-old Moses Itauma can continue Britain’s success for many years to come, with the youngster considered by many to be the hottest prospect in boxing.

As for Fury, he is focused on the UK-wide megafight with Joshua – their own ‘Battle of Britain’ after Lennox fought Frank Bruno in 1993.

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Jermell Charlo says Derrick James has changed with fame

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Image: Jermell Charlo says Derrick James changed as success grew

“Derrick James, he started getting a little more players and a little more buzz, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.

Charlo said that as James built a larger stable, there was less hands-on time spent with him and more trying to control the gym environment. He claimed that James wanted things done his way, including telling players to remove dogs from the gym during training sessions and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.

Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, and James recently split from Errol Spence Jr. A coach once considered one of the safest hands in the sport is suddenly facing public criticism from two of his biggest names.

“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “Coach needs us. Don’t overdo it, coach. Serene down, coach. I was your first champion.”

He also pointed to his camp leading up to the Alvarez fight, saying the support around him wasn’t the same when he needed it most.

“You don’t enter into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.

Charlo still believes he can regain his spot in the junior middleweight division, and talks about a possible fight with Sebastian Fundora are ongoing later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with ancient alliances has noticeably changed. Sometimes a rift begins when success changes the room.

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight: ‘It’s going to sound crazy’

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “This is going to sound mad”

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua look set to face each other later this year in what could be one of the biggest British boxing events of all time.

Another British legend, Naseem Hamed, presented the course of the fight in a surprising way.

Fury had his ring returned within a a decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this monthshaking off ring rust at the age of 37 and allegedly preparing for a showdown with Joshua that the “Gypsy King” was set to take place this summer.

However, ‘AJ’ instead maintained that he would prefer a warm-up fight first, with the Londoner expected to return to action in July, ahead of a long-awaited meeting with his arch-rival in November.

I’m talking to talkSPORT BoxingHamed was looking forward to this match and suggested that a draw could be on the cards.

“Who do I think will win the fight between AJ and Fury? Well, that is the question and everyone wants to know.

“Years ago, Tyson had this awkward style for me where he could make AJ look stupid, that’s true. Now everything has changed. Tyson seemed to have backed off a little bit.

“But with Tyson Fury you never know, maybe one night he’ll show up and box amazingly and do what he did to Wilder. Those first few rounds [against Makhmudov]I was a little disappointed that he didn’t go from the start.

“This is going to sound crazy to you, but would it be unbelievable if I said it could be a draw?”

It is unclear whether Fury will also fight in the summer or whether he will avoid risking a lucrative romance with Joshua and wait patiently on the sidelines.

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