Frank Martin embraces bounceback mission as he prepares for Nahir Albright

frank martin steps into a high-stakes junior welterweight test after a 2024 knockout loss and a nearly 18-month comeback that ended with a knockout of Cuba’s Rances Barthelemy. The outcome on Saturday matters for immediate title positioning and for Martin’s bid to keep rebuilding his career.

Frank Martin’s recent arc: Davis knockout, 18-month return and Barthelemy stoppage

Martin, 31 and carrying a 19-1 record with 13 KOs, is defined in part by the knockout loss he suffered to Gervonta “Tank” Davis in 2024. He returned nearly 18 months later and scored a knockout of Rances Barthelemy, and now seeks another statement win at 140 pounds against Nahir Albright, who enters at 17-2 with seven KOs.

Why Martin believes 140 pounds suits him

Martin said the weight is settling better on him: more snap on his punches, better legs and a stronger base when he sets his feet. “I feel a lot stronger at 140, ” he said, adding that strength and speed feel improved and that he is more comfortable with the weight. That comfort matters in a scheduled ten-round fight, where pace and conditioning typically get tested after the fourth round.

Nahir Albright’s recent activity and the backstage June incident

Albright arrives with a 17-2 ledger and recent momentum: in June he defeated Kelvin Davis, the brother of top-rated Keyshawn Davis, and that result triggered a physical altercation backstage. Keyshawn Davis has publicly expressed interest in facing Albright, and Martin noted that his own victory could make him the logical next choice. Martin said the fight against Keyshawn could happen “by the end of the year” but that any matchup would need to be for something tangible: “For a title. ”

Final press conference tensions and tactical outlook

Martin has predicted that early contact will force Albright off his spot and that once punches begin to land, Albright will not hold his ground. At the final press conference Martin said, “We going to see, once I get to touching on him. You might have to move around a lot. It’s a big ring. It’s perfect for you. ” Albright answered with confidence: “We can do it whatever way. Anyway. Let’s do it. I can stay in the pocket with you. I can box. ”

Martin framed the matchup as a physical test of timing and snap — he believes stepping in behind the jab and touching the body will make the ring look bigger to Albright. “You a tough [fighter], ” Martin told him, “Our styles going to clash. It’s going to be a good fight. ” Analysts will watch whether Albright can hold ground once Martin starts stepping through his punches; if Martin’s power carries at 140 the way he expects, the other man could be circling by the middle rounds.

Card placement, title implications and the McGirt influence

The bout is on Saturday’s pay-per-view card that is headlined by Mario Barrios defending the WBC welterweight title against Ryan Garcia. Also on that card are 140-pound titlists Richardson Hitchins (IBF) and Gary Antuanne Russell (WBA). Martin is ranked No. 7 by the WBA behind his stablemate Russell and has said he most wants a fight with Hitchins, who will defend his belt against third-ranked Oscar Duarte.

Martin is cornered by Buddy McGirt, an International Boxing Hall of Fame member. McGirt, who fought across a 15-year, 80-fight career, noted his own rebound from losing a 140-pound title to Meldrick Taylor: he won 17 consecutive fights afterward and captured the WBC welterweight title three years later, then later lost twice to Pernell Whitaker while remaining active and victorious. McGirt shared his comeback story with Martin to emphasize that who you are is judged by how you respond to a loss and to warn that fighters sometimes try only to protect their unblemished records: “Today, everybody wants to protect that zero, but sometimes shit happens to make you a bet” — a line he used while counseling Martin.

Timing and logistics: when and where to watch

The event is scheduled for Saturday with a local start time of 6: 00 pm; that corresponds to 6: 00 pm ET and 11: 00 pm in the UK. Martin was also in attendance last month to watch Keyshawn Davis win over Jamaine Ortiz at Madison Square Garden, underscoring the immediate matchmaking threads tied to this card.