LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – Ifugao’s youthful and most promising boxer Carl James Martin will attempt to win the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) youth bantamweight championship against Hashimu Zuberi of Tanzania in the capital town of Lagawe on April 28.
Venue is the Don Bosco High School gymnasium.
The unbeaten Martin, regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the Philippines at his age level, will be chasing his second international triumph in such a short span of time since turning professional when he takes the slugger in ten rounds.
In his last bout, he knocked out a boxer from Thailand to add another feather to his checkered record. It was held at the Lagawe Central School gymnasium.
If he wins in the forthcoming match, Martin is adding another belt in his collection in the international arena.
“I am always prepared and ready to meet the opportunities that a boxing match will bring, more so in an international scene at that,” Martin told the ZigZag Weekly.
Gamboc takes on Frances Gonzales of Pili, Camarines Sur in a six round match. Nagulman is pitted against Reynalgo Condes of Rosario, Batangas, also in six rounds. Another six- rounder highlight is Magagmoc vs Reymar Condes (also of Rosario, Batangas). Four-rounder matches feature Joshua Tuguinay vs Rico Yagno (of Rosario, Batangas), Dogwe vs Quibic of Pagsanjan, Laguna and Jesse Tuguinay vs Emerson Tedidal, also of Pagsanjan, Laguna.
The first undercard bout starts at 1 p.m. at the newly-built venue.
The main event is a clash anchored on the 118 pounds limit.
“We are pleased to see him (Carl James Martin) fight here,” Hingyon civic leader and engineer Julio Tindungan said.
“We are proud of the province’s ‘Wonder Boy,’ our homegrown hero, our next Manny Pacquiao,” he added.
“Carl James has truly inspired many not just in Ifugao but, also in many other places in the region. Our other young boxers have so much to contribute towards enhancing the country’s image as a powerhouse in boxing in the world,” Adel Martin said.
“The moment he won against the Thai boxer in a spectacular manner was priceless,” he added. He is the father of Carl James and also acts as his trainer.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, the elder Martin in stressing the importance of imposing upon oneself a solemn responsibility to professionally play at the ring with the highest standards of excellence and competence, pointed out that “discipline and hard work at the gym during training sessions” are the cornerstone of the younger Martin’s success.
It is quite remarkable that Carl James Martin has attained so much early on his boxing career. As an athlete, his craft and practice embody the highest values of sportsmanship and integrity.
The elder Martin also helped plan and develop an innovative boxing program in the grassroots level.
A program as this one continues to maintain a commanding position in positively directing the lives of youngsters. In several marginalized villages, young people take responsibility in engaging in sports instead of getting hook on drugs.
This event, dubbed as “Thrilla in Cordillera,” is coming at this time when the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is gearing up to accept and cope up with the demands of national and global sports environment.
The challenge that will certainly arise with an expected full-packed gym at ring time is just one of the exciting and great developments in this part of the region.
Boxing aficionados of Lagawe, Lamut, Kiangan, Hingyon, Hungduan and Banaue towns are expected to witness the action-filled event.
“Thrilla in Cordillera,” will showcase the wits and talents of top-rated contenders of Boxing Academy Gym, Olivares Boxing Stable, Knockout Boxing Gym and Machete Boxing Gym.
“We are here once again in Lagawe to bring the excitement of boxing at a high caliber,” the elder Martin asserted.
He also called on Ifugao folks to support upcoming boxers by watching their bouts.
“So we are here to bring that cause,” he stressed.
It is suggested that fans bring their cameras and cellphone for “selfies” at the conclusion of the “Thrilla in Cordillera.”
Ifugao offers varied opportunities for mountain climbing, mountain biking, wrestling and other sports-related activities. Yet, it is not attracting foreign tourists in huge numbers. Investing in a new and well-attuned tourism masterplan by incoming, well-meaning provincial government officials is highly called for.
The boxing extravaganza is sponsored by the Ifugao Amateur and Professional Boxing Promotions. **By Anthony A. Araos
