Camille Naredo

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Carl Jammes Martin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The journey toward a world title shot continues for unbeaten Filipino bantamweight prospect Carl James Martin.The 26-year-old will return to the ring for the first time this year when he faces Cebuano fighter Carlo Demecillo on May 16 at the Philippine Marine Corps in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds, with Martin approaching it as a title eliminator.“Iniisip ng buong team na world title eliminator ito. Para sa next fight, kung mabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon, maging ready na kami na lumaban para sa world title,” said Martin, who holds a perfect 27-0 record with 20 knockouts.Martin, a native of Lagawe, Ifugao, appeared at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum alongside his father and head trainer, Abel Martin.While his father believes he is ready for a world title shot, the team remains cautious.“Sa ganyang mga bagay, hindi naman kami nagmamadali. Kasi mahirap din yung nagmamadali na hindi naman sigurado,” said the elder Martin.“Hindi na rin naman siguro magtatagal na kung ipagkaloob ng Diyos yan, baka ngayong 2026 maibigay yung world title fight na.”Martin last fought in October 2025 during the “Thrilla in Manila” 50th anniversary card at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. He is currently ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).Mexico’s Christian Medina holds the WBO bantamweight title, while compatriot Jose Salas Reyes is the IBF champion. Japan’s Seiya Tsutsumi and Takuma Inoue, meanwhile, own the WBA and WBC belts, respectively.“Handa kami. Ready kaming lumaban kahit sa ibang bansa,” Martin said on the possibility of facing any of the reigning champions.For now, his focus remains on Demecillo, a 29-year-old veteran with a 19-12-2 record, including 11 knockouts.“Patuloy yung pag-eensayo namin. Nakatutok kami sa conditioning kasi itong fight na ito ay hindi magiging madali para sa akin. So pinaghandaan talaga namin ito. Focus talaga kami sa training,” he said.The fight card is organized by trainer Joven Jimenez, former world champion Jerwin Ancajas, and Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial.

The journey toward a world title shot continues for unbeaten Filipino bantamweight prospect Carl Jammes Martin.

The journey toward a world title shot continues for unbeaten Filipino bantamweight prospect Carl Jammes Martin.

Unbeaten bantamweight Carl Jammes Martin to face Cebuano Carlo Demecillo

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Unbeaten bantamweight Carl Jammes Martin to face Cebuano Carlo Demecillo

ABS-CBN News

Published April 08, 2026 05:58 PM PHT

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Boxing

ABSSports

Carl James Martin

Carlo Demecillo

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