Carl Jammes Martin eyes knockout win in return from injury

FILE–Carl Jammes Martin. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A mere win won’t provide much gratification for Carl Jammes Martin and his camp as the Filipino prospect eyes a sensational showing in his ring return against Tanzania’s Oscar Duge on August 19 at Mandaluyong Sports Complex.

Martin is coming off a rib injury he suffered in training last April that forced him to pull out from his May 13 bout against Japan’s Jun Ikegawa.

And Martin wants to show he’s back in top form with a sensational showing against Duge in a 10-round bantamweight bout.

“My next fight is very important,” said Martin in Filipino during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Martin, undefeated in 21 fights with 17 knockouts, is heavily favored to keep his record unblemished but he knows he can’t take his opponent lightly.

“We’ve been working very hard in training and studying my opponent really well as well as the adjustments I need to make inside the ring,” said Martin, whose father Abel and brother Japeth serve as his trainers.

“The opponent has never been knocked out. That’s why our target is to knock him out,” said Japeth. “But we’re also prepared in case it would be a long fight.”

The 24-year-old Martin has stopped 10 of his opponents inside three rounds, including Thailand’s Komgrich Nantapech, whom he knocked out last December to win the IBF Pan Pacific super bantamweight belt.

On paper, it doesn’t seem like Duge (11-5-2, 4KOs), who is three inches shorter than the 5-foot-6 Martin, going the distance as well.

“We’re ready. We can’t really be sure of the outcome but if it would be good if we win by knockout,” said Abel.