'I ain't duck s**t.' - Frank Martin Responded to Rumors that he Ducked Shakur Stevenson
Shakur Stevenson and Frank Martin seemed poised to clash in November for the vacant WBC Lightweight World title after Devin Haney decided to move up to the super-lightweight division. As the mandatory challenger, Stevenson was eager to vie for the championship in his next bout. Initially, the opportunity to face Stevenson was extended to Vasily Lomachenko and Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, but both declined the offer. The next contender in line was the undefeated southpaw, Frank Martin. Despite challenges arising from promotional affiliations and broadcasting rights – Stevenson with Top Rank and ESPN, and Martin with PBC and Showtime – their teams appeared to have reached an agreement before purse bids became necessary. However, a surprising turn of events occurred when Top Rank sent the contract to PBC, as they were informed that Martin was no longer interested in the fight. This decision sparked widespread reactions from fans and experts who were eagerly anticipating what promised to be a technically impressive bout. Shakur Stevenson promptly voiced his frustration on social media, accusing Martin of avoiding the fight. In response, Martin, not unexpectedly, denied these allegations with a straightforward statement:
"I ain't duck s**t..."Whether Frank Martin has any further comments or insights regarding the situation remains uncertain. As of now, it appears that the opportunity to contend for the vacant title against Stevenson will fall to Edwin De Los Santos from the Dominican Republic. If the Newark fighter secures victory, he will become a three-division champion at just 26 years old, further solidifying his potential to establish a remarkable legacy that has already gained recognition from many in the boxing world. The specifics regarding whether Top Rank will maintain the same date for Stevenson's next match, regardless of the opponent, remain unclear. Previously, the promotional company had targeted Thursday, November 16th, in Las Vegas, aligning with the Formula 1 weekend.
