Ifugao’s boxing pride Carl Jammes Martin survived a second-round knockdown to stop former champion Ronnie Baldona to retain his Philippine super bantamweight belt and became the new World Boxing Association-Asia SW champion.
The 22-year-old Martin could not control his emotion after the referee stopped the fight in round 11 of the championship bout held at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque on March 12.
Martin was sent to the canvas by the 26-year-old Baldonado with a clean right but managed to continue the round after the mandatory eight count.
Martin punished Baldonado with combinations after combinations during the remaining rounds until scoring a technical knockout in round 11 when the referee saw a lot of punishment on the latter.
Martin, who is the latest Filipino pug champion to sign with Probellum after champions Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes, improved his unblemished professional record to 19 wins with 16 by way of KOs and TKOs.
“For the last two or three years, my team and I have been carefully studying all possible options and situations that will lay the groundwork for my international boxing success,” Martin said in a statement.
Probellum was founded by former Golden Boy Promotions executive Richard Schaefer.
“The country has produced some remarkable fighters over the years and the people support its boxers with incredible devotion, so we are thrilled to be able to add Carl Jammes Martin to our other Filipino fighters,” Scaefer said.
Baldonado, meanwhile, dropped to 15 wins, three losses, and one draw in his professional boxing resume. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 26, 2024
