A compelling crossroads bout has been added to the Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman pay-per-view undercard, as Frank Martin returns from a lengthy layoff to meet former world champion Rances Barthelemy on October 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
For Martin it will be his first appearance since suffering an eighth-round knockout defeat to Gervonta “Tank” Davis in June 2024 at the same venue. The competitive fight ended in familiar fashion as Davis produced another highlight-reel finish to retain his lightweight crown. Martin has since split amicably with longtime trainer Derrick James and now works under Hall of Fame coach James “Buddy” McGirt.
The 30-year-old will enter the ring following 16 months of inactivity, while Barthelemy has been absent even longer. The Cuban veteran, now 39, last fought in April 2024, dropping a decision to former unified champion Jose Ramirez in Fresno. That loss marked his second in three fights, following a 2022 stoppage defeat to Gary Antuanne Russell. His most recent win came in May 2023, when he outpointed Omar Juarez in Las Vegas.
At his peak, Barthelemy held the IBF lightweight title before moving up in weight nearly a decade ago. Since then, he has endured mixed results, recording all four of his career blemishes across just nine fights at 140lbs.
While the fight’s exact slot on the event is yet to be confirmed, it is expected to headline the Prime Video preliminary portion before the PPV broadcast begins. For both Martin and Barthelemy, the outcome could dictate whether they remain relevant in a crowded junior welterweight picture.
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