DUE TO the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak, the supposed showdown between undefeated Ifugao boxing champion Carl Jammes Martin and Renoel Pael on February 22 in Mandaluyong is postponed.
In a recent social media post, the fight card with 11 bouts will be moved to a later date due to the Department of Health public health advisory recommending cancellation of events that cater to large crowds until further advice.
Martin was supposed to defend his Philippine Boxing Federation bantamweight crown even as he stakes his perfect slate of 15 wins, 14 of which by knockout.
The 20-year-old Martin from Lagawe, Ifugao will go up against Pael supposedly February 22, barely two months after winning it from Philip Luis Cuerdo in a three-round victory at the Manila gym.
The 5’6” southpaw considered as the new “Manny Pacquiao” will go for his 16th win and 15th knockout in his four-year career as a professional boxer.
In his previous 15 fights spanning nearly four years, Martin has allowed only one boxer, Jason Buenaobra, to go the distance and finish the fight.
The fight at his hometown of Banaue on Apr. 19, 2017 for the vacant Luzon Professional Boxing Association bantamweight title saw Martin eke a unanimous decision.
Martin is considered a monster inside the ring with most of his opponents either floored, swamped or beaten to a pulp in an average of under four rounds.
In his fight against Cuerdo, the fighter from Parañaque City tried to use experience in the first two rounds and successfully engaged the younger Ifugao.
But the third round saw Martin unleash a flurry of punches that left Cuerdo dazed and confused that his side stopped the match.
In his first title fight, Martin will face an orthodox fighter from Matalom, Leyte who totes 23 wins, 11 losses, and a single draw record.
Pael is on a three-game losing streak, all within 2019, two of the fights were against Japanese foes in Japan.
The 11-year-veteran Pael came from a good 2018 year where he won two of his fights, but after a four losing skid, all registered in 2017.
Eleven other bouts as undercards are scheduled in the Mandaluyong fight dubbed as Fists of the Future. (SunStar Baguio)