Frank Martin continues his comeback on February 21 against Nahir Albright

While much of the mainstream narrative still lingers over his 2024 loss to Gervonta Davis, Martin has already begun the process of moving past that loss.

Martin goes back to December’s knockout win

Last December, Martin reminded the boxing world of his ceiling by stopping veteran Rances Barthelemy in the fourth round. That performance proved he could carry his strength in a higher weight class while answering immediate questions about his mental state. However, defeating a 40-year-old Barthelemy is a very specific task. Handling a younger, more relentless high-volume grinder like Albright is an entirely different challenge, making this second foray at super lightweight where the real evaluation begins.

Albright is a Philadelphia native who carries the quintessential Philly Tough reputation in the ring. Representing the Philadelphia Smoke gym, he specializes in a brand of grim pressing that can be a nightmare for technical southpaws. Albright focuses on making the fight ugly by closing the distance and forcing his opponents into physical exchanges that drain the gas tank.

“Francis Barthelemy is old. He was done. He was done. We expected Frank to do it,” Albright coach Rashiem Jefferson Sr. said. YSM Sports Mediawhich minimizes the importance of Frank Martin’s victory over Barthelemy last December.

For Martin, the tactical challenge is clear. His success has always relied on elite timing and the ability to maintain separation. Against Davis, that pressure finally broke his rhythm and led to the eighth-round stoppage. While Martin looked sharp against Barthelemy, he now has to prove he can keep a younger chaser like Albright off his chest. Handling a swarmer without giving up ground is an essential skill for any title contender at 140 pounds.

Albright steps in as a dangerous underdog who has already proven he can hang with top-tier prospects. He pushed Keyshawn Davis to a razor-thin majority decision in 2023. Even though that result was later changed to a no contest, the fight proved that Albright has a massive engine. A win over a name like Martin would catapult him up the rankings and immediately disrupt any comeback plans currently being laid out for the Ghost.

“Woo is coming off that win with everything behind him. I think Woo is on a high horse and we’re going to get the job done,” Jefferson said of Albright’s confidence after his win over Kelvin Davis last June.

This game is more than just another date on the calendar. It represents an important crossroads for Martin, who needs to dominate to prove that his transition to super lightweight is complete and that he belongs among the division’s elite such as Richardson Hitchins or Jose Ramirez. A loss or even a hard-fought, narrow win would suggest that the blueprint left behind after the Davis fight remains a problem. Martin can’t afford to look vulnerable on a stage this big if he intends to remain a factor in a crowded and dangerous division.

Story of the tape: Martin vs. Albright