Undefeated Ifugao boxer Carl James Martin has maintained his unblemished record when he knocked Joe Tejones out in the fifth round of their 10-round bout match in Biñan, Laguna on Feb. 20.
The 21-year-old Martin unleashed a solid blow on Tejones’ body that floored the boxer from Bukidnon and never recovered, giving the former a technical knockout victory.
Both southpaw boxers, Martin capitalized on his speed to unleash several blows in the midsection of his opponent in the earlier part of the bout.
The Lagawe native also employed superior lateral movement while keeping the 24-year-old Tejones at bay.
Martin, who trains under the Ifugao Boxing Gym stable run by his father, Abel Sr., improved his impressive professional boxing record to 17 wins with 15 by way of KOs and TKOs.
Martin is the reigning Philippine Boxing Federation bantamweight champion and holder of two regional (Asia-Pacific) titles.
Tejones, on the other hand, dropped his record to 13 wins and eight losses.
It was a lopsided bout, as Martin made Tejones look like a virtual punching bag, as what Igorot boxing promoter Brico Santig described the match even as he acknowledged that Tejones was a dangerous opponent for the Cordilleran boxer.
Santig knew the power of Tejones as he is one of the two boxers who defeated former Philippines Luzon Professional Boxing Association bantamweight champion KJ Natuplag, who once trained at Santig-led Highland Boxing Gym.
Meanwhile, Vic Saludar captured the vacant secondary World Boxing Association strawweight belt with a split decision win against previously unbeaten Robert Paradero in the main event of the night. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 25, 2024
