By Dennis Principe
Two months removed from his last fight, Carl Jammes Martin — is navigating an uncertain stretch in his career, with questions emerging about timing, direction, and momentum for one of the Philippines’ rising boxing stars.
A native of Ifugao known as the “Wonder Boy”, Martin has been without a promotional contract since his deal with MP Promotions, previously affiliated with the now-defunct Probellum Promotions, expired in November. While the lapse technically makes him a free agent, Martin has made it clear he prefers continuity under the Pacquiao-backed company rather than seeking a new management path.
“I have so much respect for MP Promotions, specifically Senator Manny Pacquiao and especially MP president Sean Gibbons,” Martin said. “I just felt like two months passed by without gaining anything.”
The 26-year-old unbeaten fighter (27-0, 20 knockouts) praised Gibbons for his guidance and hands-on approach in managing Filipino boxers’ careers. Yet Martin also expressed frustration over the absence of a defined timeline for his next bout, a critical factor given his standing as a top-rated contender in the World Boxing Organization’s 122-pound division.
“At this stage, I should already be preparing for a specific schedule, a specific fight,” he said.
Concerned that inactivity could stall his ascent, Martin has begun exploring adjustments to his training setup. Among the options is the addition of veteran coach Marvin Somodio to his team, alongside his father and longtime trainer, Abel Martin.
“I’ve already spoken with Coach Marvin, and he seems ready to join my team,” Martin said. “If that happens, we’ll likely need two meaningful, strategic fights before aiming for a world championship.”
Martin last competed in October at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where he overcame a third-round knockdown to defeat Thailand’s Aran Dipaen by unanimous decision on the “Thrilla in Manila 2” card. He said a step-up fight early next year would have been ideal — something he expected to have finalized by now.
Despite the uncertainty, Martin remains optimistic that ongoing discussions with Gibbons will yield both a renewed promotional agreement and a concrete fight schedule, allowing him to continue his rise toward a world title without losing valuable time in his prime.
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