By DENNIS G. PRINCIPE
Expect an explosive outing between Ifugao teen prospect Carl Jammes Martin and foreign opponent Hashimu Zuberi of Tanzania after both combatants easily passed the weigh-in yesterday, a day before their regional title fight in Lagawe.
The 18-year-old Martin, who weighed in at 118lbs, will be aiming for his second regional belt, something which his Tanzanian foe vows to ruin right in front of the young Filipino boxer’s home crowd.
After winning two local crowns last year, Martin (7-0, 6 knockouts) capped his 2017 by annexing the Asian Boxing Council (ABC) Continental bantamweight crown by stopping Artid Bamrungauea of Thailand in the second round of their 10-round contest held Dec. 23 at the DepEd Gymnasium in Lagawe.
For his first fight of the year, Martin will vie for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific Youth Bantamweight crown when he battles Zuberi in a 10-round bout tonight at the Lagawe Central School Gym in Lagawe.
“Zuberi moves a lot and he seems to throw solid shots. This is the fight I want to get at this point of my career,” said Martin. “Through this fight, I may be able to know my real worth as a boxer.”
The 22-year-old Zuberi (14-2, 4 KOs) may turn out to be a tough test for Martin as the Bagamoyo-native boxer has won five of his last six bouts, four of them via the short route. He came in 117lbs in yesterday’s weigh in.
Well-traveled international matchmaker Art Monis revealed that Martin’s father and trainer Abel wanted to be sure they won’t get a patsy for their next outing.
“His father wanted this. He told me to get a tough opponent that will test his son and Zuberi will surely be a livewire opponent for this kid,” said Monis.
Five amateur bouts will open the card that will also feature seven professional bouts sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
