Undefeated boxer Carl Jammes Martin is ready to take a significant step toward his world championship aspirations as he faces Mexican contender David Picasso in the “Mexico vs. The World” boxing event on Saturday, October 31, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Martin will put his unblemished record on the line against a seasoned opponent who has already gone toe-to-toe with one of boxing’s biggest stars, giving the Filipino southpaw an opportunity to establish himself among the division’s elite.
“Of course, there is pressure, but at the same time, this is an opportunity I’ve been waiting for. I’ve worked hard and waited a long time for this moment. When the offer came, I decided to take the fight, regardless of the circumstances,” Martin said.
The 27-year-old native of Hingyon, Ifugao, enters the bout with 28 victories, including 21 knockouts. His impressive run has propelled him to the No. 1 spot in the World Boxing Organization’s super bantamweight rankings.
Standing across the ring will be Picasso, who holds a 33-1-1 record with 18 knockouts. The Mexican contender last challenged Japan’s Naoya Inoue for the undisputed super bantamweight championship in December 2025, taking the reigning star the full 12 rounds before losing by unanimous decision.
Picasso’s experience against Inoue presents a considerable challenge for Martin, who hopes to turn his first major opportunity against elite international opposition into a defining victory.
To prepare for the encounter, Martin spent three months training in the United States alongside his father and head trainer, Abel. His camp included sessions at Knuckleheads Boxing Gym in Las Vegas and Manny Pacquiao’s gym in Los Angeles, as well as approximately three weeks of work under Filipino coach Marvin Somodio.
The fight also marks a calculated gamble for Martin, who will move up from super bantamweight to featherweight to take on Picasso.
“Moving up in weight is a big risk, but I see more upside in taking this fight. I might eventually discover that this is the right division for me. There have also been reports that Naoya Inoue could be moving up to this division, so we’ll see what happens,” Martin said.
Beyond the challenge inside the ring, Martin is also determined to make the most of the opportunity to represent the Philippines on an international stage, despite concerns surrounding recent security incidents in Saudi Arabia.
The event will feature 18 boxers competing in nine professional bouts, bringing together fighters from the Philippines, Japan, Russia, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Romania, and Cuba against Mexico’s contingent.
Headlining the card is Mexican superstar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, who will face Christian Mbilli, representing France and Cameroon. Other featured matchups include Jaime Munguía against Russia’s Nikita Zon and Rafael Espinoza against Nicaragua’s Ricardo Blandon.
The card will be held at The Venue in Riyadh as part of the seventh edition of Riyadh Season, with DAZN broadcasting the event worldwide.
