Filipino boxing prospect Carl Jammes Martin is set to make his debut on the American continent today, squaring off against seasoned Mexican fighter Anthony Jimenez Salas in a non-title super bantamweight bout at Culican, Sinaloa, Mexico.
The 25-year-old undefeated fighter from Lagawe, Ifugao, who boasts a 23-0 record with 18 knockouts, is eyeing this bout as the first step on his path toward a world championship title in 2025. After relocating to the United States six months ago, Martin is ready to prove his mettle on the international stage.
“I feel this is the right time to fight and prove myself here abroad. This is the time to show that I am ready after being trained in the Knuckleheads Boxing Ranch training compound in Las Vegas, Nevada,” Martin shared ahead of the match. “This is what I needed to take me to the world title in 2025.”
Martin expressed gratitude for the support of Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons, and his team for their assistance in his transition to Las Vegas.
“I would like to thank Manny Pacquiao, Sean Gibbons, and then my team for all the help in my move to Las Vegas, the high rugged training and conditioning that I have been throughout my stay in the US to intensify myself,” he added.
Since moving to the U.S., Martin has been sharpening his skills through sparring sessions with top-tier fighters like Bruce “Shushu” Carrington and fellow Filipino-American prospect DJ Zamora. His intense training at the Knuckleheads Boxing Ranch has not gone unnoticed.
“He has been sensational training and working with the best boxers coming in the Knuckleheads gym every day. They are seeing his diet and training workouts. By coming to the U.S., he’s there to improve more his craft and be a global boxing star, a world champion,” said Sean Gibbons.
Gibbons, who has helped guide Martin’s career as part of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, is confident in the young boxer’s potential.
“Martin is a diamond in the rough or has great potential to be a world champion. Just like the other Filipino boxers, he is a promising individual, has the talent, the attitude, and the skills to follow the footsteps of former Filipino world champions,” Gibbons added.
Ranked No. 3 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No. 6 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Martin is poised to make a big splash in the super bantamweight division. His opponent, 28-year-old Anthony Salas, is a tough brawler from Mazatlán, Mexico, with a record of 18-9-1, including five knockouts. Known for his rugged fighting style, Salas presents a challenging test for the Filipino star-in-the-making.
“Carl Martin will be carrying the tradition of a great rivalry between the Philippines and Mexico. He looks forward to carrying on that tradition,” Gibbons noted, emphasizing the historical significance of the matchup.
