Ifugao boxing pride Carl Jammes Martin has intensified his training for his biggest fight yet, as he will challenge reigning champion Mark Anthony Geraldo for the Philippine super bantamweight belt.
Geraldo made headlines in the boxing world when he won via majority decision in March 2012 against Jerwin Ancajas, now the reigning International Boxing Federation Junior-bantamweight world champion 2016.
He is currently ranked fourth best junior-bantamweight boxer in the world by Ring Magazine, considered the bible of boxing.
It will be a tough challenge for Martin, who remains undefeated in 19 professional bouts, with 15 of his opponents defeated via knockout or technical knockout.
Martin’s publicist, Dennis Principe, said Geraldo and manager Leonil Lazarito submitted a contract to boxing promoter Cucuy Elorde with the champion agreeing to stake his belt against the former on Dec. 14 at the Elorde Sports Complex.
The Games and Amusement Board (GAB), in last month’s regular ratings, made Martin the mandatory challenger of Geraldo who will make his third defense of the prestigious crown he won when he stopped the highly-touted Virgel Vitor in February 2019 in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
The last time Martin saw action inside the ring was in February when he stopped Joe Tejones, who last fought in February 2019 when he defended his belt against Lorence Rosas via TKO victory.
The 22-year-old Martin admitted that Geraldo is a tough opponent being an experienced champion with a professional record of 28 wins, nine losses, and three draws with 19 of his wins coming by way of stoppage.
Geraldo has fought the best in his division, among them former world champions McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico and Nourdine Oubaali of France and world title challengers Takuma Inoue of Japan and Bacolod’s pride Arthur Villanueva.
Martin, however, remains confident ahead of the fight day, as he claimed his camp has a long-term, prudent plan for his career. He remains a promotional free agent.
Among those who are interested in handling Martin’s boxing affairs are Fil-American Morris East, who is the Filipino link of Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc.; the newly formed Probellum of respected boxing executive Richard Schaeffer, Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions; and Zamboanga Valientes owner Junie Navarro. – Press release
