(April 20, 2021) Undefeated lightweight Frank Martin stopped previously unbeaten Jerry Perez in the seventh-round Tuesday night headlining FS1 PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
The battle of rising lightweight prospects saw Martin (13-0, 10 KOs) breakthrough in that seventh round, as he landed a crushing left hook that floored Perez late in the frame. Perez (13-1, 10 KOs) was able to rise to his feet, but a follow up attack from Martin forced referee Jerry Cantu to waive off the bout 2:59 into the round.
"I saw the shot coming the round before,” said Martin, who is trained by renowned coach Derrick James. “I was going to the left looking for it, but I couldn't find the right distance. In the next round, Derrick told me he was leaning and that helped me find the distance to land it.”
Martin controlled the fight with his movement and jab early and set the pace as the busier fighter, throwing 405 punches to Perez’s 222 according to CompuBox. He more than doubled Perez’s output of punches landed with a 100 to 47 advantage.
"I felt good in there,” said Martin. “I just followed the game plan that Derrick gave me. He told me to go out there and use my feet. I hurt him at every step of the fight. Everything Derrick asked me to do was working.”
Perez had perhaps his best round in the fourth, as he found some success breaking through Martin’s defense with counter left hooks to the head. Martin was able to shake off the rough patch and was well in control on the cards at the time of the stoppage, having only lost one round on one judge’s card.
"He was physically strong but there wasn't anything he did that affected me,” said Martin. “This win is a big blessing. I'm just going to stay humble and keep moving forward and getting better."
#FrankMartin #MartinPerez #JerryPerez
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