March 29, 2024

Cordillera’s Carl Jammes Martin has survived a brawl against a veteran boxer en route to a unanimous decision victory in one of the main cards of “Kumbati 7” boxing showdown in Mandaue, Cebu on Dec. 18.

The 21-year-old Martin of Ifugao perfectly executed his game plan against the 27-year-old Richard Rosales of Bohol even as the latter engaged him in a brawl.

Speed and accuracy paid off for Martin, as he impressed thousands of viewers who virtually watched the boxing match with his series of combinations that kept Rosales at bay most of the rounds.

The Ifugao “Wonder Boy” was likewise effective in his counterpunches while Rosales kept taunting him to a brawl during an eight-rounder super bantamweight bout.

An experienced boxer, Rosales managed to land solid blows but Martin was quick to recover, as he also tried to knock down his opponent many times.

It was the first professional fight for Martin outside the National Capital Region as he recorded most of his fights in his home province Ifugao and nearby Nueva Vizcaya.

Martin has improved his unblemished record to 16 wins with 14 by way of knockouts.

The Martin camp is hoping that the Ifugao boxer will defend his Philippine Boxing Federation bantamweight belt next year.

Aside from the PBF belt, Martin is also the World Boxing Association Asia and World Boxing Organization Oriental bantamweight champion.

Before the Cebu bubble, the last time Martin fought was on Dec. 21, 2019 where he stopped top-rated campaigner Philip Luis Cuerdo via technical knockout. 

Meanwhile, Martin’s newfound friend, Albert Prince Pagara of Mason City emerged victorious via unanimous decision against Virgil Puton of Cotabato in their eight-rounder bout.

The 26-year-old Pagara has landed more solid blows while he displayed excellent defense against the rampaging Puton.

The World Boxing Organization Inter-Continental super bantamweight champion Pagara improved his record to 33 wins, with 23 by way of knockouts, against one loss. – Harley F. Palangchao