World Boxing Association Asia super bantamweight champion Carl Jammes Martin said he is ready for more, bigger fights and most probably, to fight outside the country.
The 23-year-old Martin of Banaue, Ifugao made his successful first title defense against Charles Tondo of Tanzania at SM San Lazaro in Manila on weekend via a unanimous decision.
Martin improved his unblemished record to 20 wins with 16 by way of knockout, but he admitted that Tondo was his toughest opponent yet.
Tondo, also 23, landed a crisp right hook that caught the attention of Martin in the fourth round.
Martin opted to become the more aggressive fighter by controlling the distance starting midway the scheduled 12-round championship bout, as he was more effective when dictating the exchange of punches.
The upcoming prizefighter from Probellum admitted in a post-fight interview he was expecting the fight to go the distance, as he was also leveling up his competition.
Martin has stopped most of his opponents early on since he turned professional boxer in 2016. His last knockout win was in March, stopping fellow Filipino boxer Ronnie Baldonado in the 11th round to capture the WBA Asia super bantamweight belt.
Following his first title defense, Martin is eyeing a possible dream fight against Sam Goodman, the unbeaten super bantamweight boxer from Australia, who holds a professional record of 12 wins with seven by way of KO/technical KO.
Goodman, also 23, is currently the International Boxing Federation Inter-Continental and World Boxing Organizational Oriental super bantamweight champion. The Aussie boxer defeated Filipino campaigner Juan Miguel Elorde, 29 wins and three losses, in his title defense last month in Sydney, Australia. – Harley F. Palangchao
