Reigning Philippine Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Carl Jammes Martin was set to fight the older Joe Tejones of Bukidnon at the Biñan City football stadium in Laguna on Feb. 20.
The 21-year-old undefeated boxer from Lagawe, Ifugao has been busy with his training at the Elorde Gym in Quezon City before the showdown.
The 10-round non-title bout was expected to bring fireworks, as both fighters possess a southpaw stance with high level of punching power.
The Martin-Tejones bout was set two months after Martin survived a brawl against 27-year-old Richard Rosales in one of the main cards of Kumbati 7 in Mandaue, Cebu in December last year.
This would be the sixth time Martin is fighting outside of Lagawe and Nueva Vizcaya, where he fought most of his professional fights.
Martin now has 16 wins with 14 coming by way of knockout and technical KO.
Last month, Martin posted in social media his sparring session with fellow Ifugao boxer and former Philippines Luzon Professional Boxing Association (LuzonProba) bantamweight champion KJ Natuplag.
Former undefeated Ifugao boxer-turned mixed martial arts fighter Rob Gamboa was also spotted training at the Ifugao Boxing Gym in Lagawe where Martin holds his regular training.
Martin has been training hard against Tejones, who has 20 professional bouts, of which he nailed 13 wins against seven losses since 2015.
Tejones is one of the two boxers who defeated Natuplag, winning against the Ifugao boxer via split decision in Davao City in 2019.
Tejones fought for the World Boxing Council Youth world bantamweight title twice, but suffered defeats against his Japanese and Thai opponents in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
The last time Tejones fought was in July 2019 when he was defeated by Vincent Astrolabio via unanimous decision to capture the vacant Philippines Mindanao Professional Boxing Federation bantamweight title. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 25, 2024
