MANILA, Philippines – Prime prospect Carl Jammes Martin extended his unbeaten run with a fifth-round technical knockout of Mexican Juan Tostado on Saturday, December 7, (Sunday, December 8, Philippine time) in a super bantamweight bout at the Evolution Club in Tijuana, Mexico.
The sensation from Lagawe, Ifugao, started slow, allowing Tostado to dictate the tempo in the first two rounds. Martin finally found his range in the third and fourth rounds, but the Mexican continued to press forward and cornered the Filipino.
The 25-year-old Martin, however, sneaked in a solid left, forcing Tostado to retreat. Pouncing on the opportunity, Martin landed a right-left combination to the head that dropped Tostado.
Sensing that the Mexican was still groggy after the count, the referee halted the bout set at a catch weight of 125 pounds at the 1 minute and 25 seconds of the fifth, raising Martin’s record to 25-0 with 20 knockouts.
Tostado, 30, who came in two pounds heavier than Martin at 124 pounds, dropped to 27-15-1 with 10 knockouts.
The impressive victory could elevate Martin to top contender from No. 2 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and in the top five from No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
It was the second straight win for Martin in Mexico, where he knocked out Mexican Anthony Jimenez Salas in September in Sinaloa.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, who charts Martin’s career, wants another fight for the Filipino hard-hitter before challenging for the world crown next year.
Martin has relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he trains at the Knucklehead Boxing Gym. – Rappler.com