Alberto Puello’s path to becoming a top player in the 140-pound picture has been murky in recent years.

On June 15, Puello eked past Gary Antuanne Russell via split decision to win the WBC interim title. After full champion Devin Haney was displeased with Top Rank's $2.42 million-winning purse bid on June 18 to face No. 1 challenger Sandor Martin, on June 23, the WBC designated Haney "champion in recess" and ordered Puello to face Martin.

Puello vs. Martin takes place Saturday on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. fight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Prime Video and PPV.com.

“This is a great opportunity for me to defend the world title that I worked so hard to win,” said Puello. “Winning that title meant so much to me because it proved to everyone that I’m a real champion at 140 pounds.

“I’m not worried about anything other than preparing well for this fight. I have faced a lot of different opponents, and I know what I have in my arsenal. What Sandor does or doesn’t do does not concern me one bit.

“I have to win this fight and I have to win it with a big statement. I don’t think that I have the respect that I deserve yet. This statement will put the whole boxing world on notice.”

Puello (23-0, 10 KOs) is accustomed to circuitous journeys. In 2023, Puello tested positive for the banned substance Clomiphene, leading to a temporary suspension and his removal from a scheduled fight against Rolando Romero. At the time, Puello was set to make his first defense of the WBA junior welterweight title, but the sanctioning body stripped him of the belt, designating him as "champion in recess."

Following his win against Russell, Puello, a 30-year-old Dominican, is ranked No. 2 by The Ring. Other champions at 140 pounds include Teofimo Lopez Jr. (The Ring/WBO), Richardson Hitchins (IBF), and Jose Valenzuela (WBA), who faces Gary Antuanne Rusell on the same card as Puello-Martin.

“I would love to fight the winner of Valenzuela vs. Russell,” said Puello. “I want to unify the division and then clean out the division.”

Martin (42-3, 15 KOs), meanwhile, who sports a career-best win against Mikey Garcia in 2021 and a split decision loss to Lopez in 2022 on his dossier, promises to spoil the Puello party.

“I’m better than Puello,” said Martin, a 31-year-old from Spain. “I’m here to show my skills and show that I’m first class.

“My best skills are in my mind. I can fight any style. Puello is a great fighter who wants to stay undefeated, and that makes me more motivated. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to become a world champion.

“This isn’t just a normal fight. This is the opportunity I’ve waited for since I was a kid. I’ve earned it. The only thing on my mind is returning home as a world champion.”