Suarez, Martin headline Ultimate Knockout Challenge card

Veteran Charly Suarez and rising contender Carl Jammes Martin will banner  the “Ultimate Knockout Challenge” boxing card on Saturday, December 4, at the renowned Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City.

The 22-year-old Martin, undefeated in 17 pro fights with 15 knockouts, will challenge Philippine super-bantamweight champion Mark Anthony Geraldo in a title bout that comes amid the pandemic.

Martin, the pride of Lagawe, Ifugao, told the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) in an online forum on Tuesday, November 30, that he was unfazed by Geraldo’s experience, having been in 50 fights (38-9-3 with 19 knockouts).

“Confident naman ako dahil matagal ko pinaghandaan ang laban na ito. Ready na po ako. Laban na lang ang hinihintay,” said Martin, adding that he’s just a couple of pounds above the weight limit of 122 pounds.

(I’m confident because I’ve been preparing for this fight for so long. I’m ready and I’m just waiting for the event.) 

Martin has been preparing for the fight since March this year but an injury and the lockdowns delayed the clash. 

The young boxer has sparred with reigning IBF super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and newly-crowned WBO Intercontinental bantamweight champion Jonas Sultan as he prepared for his experienced foe.

“Kaya malaki ang pasalamat ko sa kanila. Pati si Charly Suarez tumulong sa akin (That’s why I’m really grateful to them and to Charly Suarez.),” added Martin.

Suarez, the three-time SEA Games champion and veteran of the 2016 Rio Olympics, will try to preserve his unbeaten record as a pro when he takes on Delmar Pellio in a ten-round super-featherweight clash.

The 33-year-old Suarez is bent on keeping his winning ways as a pro in the hope of vying for a regional title, and ultimately a crack at a world title in 2022.

“Sabi nila pag umabot ka na sa 30 years old start na nang pagbaba mo. Pero ang mindset ko is that nagsisimula pa lang ako,” Suarez said.

“Patuloy ang pangarap ko at pag-aaral as a boxer. I will do my best manalo para dagdag sa record ko.” 

(They said that if you reach 30, that’s the start of your decline, but my mindset is that I’m just getting started. My dream as a boxer continues and I am always learning. I will do my best to win in order to improve my record.) 

Like Suarez, the Aklan-born Pellio is undefeated in the pro ranks, carrying a 9-0 record with four knockouts. He turned pro in 2017 and will definitely feel at home, having fought all his nine fights at the Elorde Sports Complex.

“Simula nung pandemic, hindi naman ako huminto sa training. Kaya maintained ang weight ko. Napag-aralan ko na din si Pellio. Bata siya and undefeated din. Hangad din niya na talunin ako kaya magandang laban ito,” he said.

(I didn’t stop training since the pandemic started and that’s how I am able to maintain my weight. I was able to study Pellio. He’s young and undefeated. He also wants to win over me, so this is going to be a good fight.) – Rappler.com