WORLD Boxing Association (WBA) Asia bantamweight champion Carl Jammes Martin finally gets a chance to strut his boxing prowess as he fights a highly rated opponent later this month.
The Ifugao boxing whiz will put his title on the line against Petchchorhae Kokietgym of Thailand at the Midas Hotel in Pasay City on February 16 as he vows to dish out a Pacquiao like performance in his first stint in the National Capital Region.
Martin, a native of Lagawe, is undefeated in his 11 fights as a pro including 10 knock outs.
The 19–year–old Martin won the title with a fourth-round knockout of Moon Chul Suh of Korea on October 27 last year.
Kokietgym has an impressive 17-2 mark, eight by KOs.
Martin said he has prepared long enough against his Thai opponent and wants to impress his countrymen in his first stint outside Cordillera and Region 2.
According to news report, Martin has hooked up with IBF world super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas as part of his build for the February 16 title fight who is reportedly starting his training camp for his mandatory title defense against Ryuchi Funai of Japan at Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 12.
It was learned that Martin and Ancajas traded gloves for only four rounds.
Aside from the WAB strap, Martin also holds the WBO oriental youth bantamweight title and the WBC Asian Boxing Council continental bantamweight belt.
Martin won WBO crown in 2018 against Hashimu Zuberi and then defended the belt against Huerban Qiatehe.
Nicknamed 'The Wonder Boy,' Martin also wrested the WBC Asia belt in 2017 against Artid Bamrungauea.