By REYNALD MAGALLON
Ifugao wonder boy Carl Jammes Martin is aiming for a spectacular return to the ring when he aims for a knockout finish against Tanzanian foe Oscar Duge in their super bantamweight bout on Aug. 19 at the Mandaluyong City College Gym.
Martin is looking to keep his perfect 21-0-0 record with 17 KOs unblemished in his first fight in eight months after being sidelined by a rib injury against Duge who had a mediocre 11-5-2 record.
Duge, though, appeared to be more durable than what his records suggest as he has yet to suffer a knockout loss – something that the camp of Martin wanted to achieve as the rising Filipino star also hopes to put the world on notice and possibly get a December title fight.
“Di namin masasabi pero pinagsisikapan namin sa ensayo na nagagawa para kung sakaling ma knockout talaga para mapaganda yung ranking ni Jammes,” said Martin’s brother and trainer Japeth.
“Hanggat maari po sana, yung di pa sya naknockout, kami po yung unang makaknockout sa kanya,” he added.
Odds seemed to be on the side of the 24-year-old, 5-foot-6 Martin, having the height and reach advantage against the 5-foot-3 Tanzanian.
Still, the IBF ranked No. 4 and WBO ranked No. 9 fighter is not leaving anything to chance, drawing a plan to take advantage of his height and length but also preparing to slug it out in close range.
