Olympian Charly Suarez and fellow unbeaten boxer Carl Jammes Martin aim to reach the next levels of their respective pro careers when they eye the vacant regional belts of their divisions.
The 33-year-old Suarez (9-0, 6 KOs) battles young Mindanaoan Tomjune Mangubat in a 12-round World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia superfeatherweight championship.
Martin, 22, will seek the vacant WBA Asia superbantamweight strap against veteran Ronnie Baldonado of Cotabato.
The title fights will happen Saturday (March 12) at the Elorde Sports Complex in Sucat, Paranaque.
“This fight is crucial for me because this could pave the way for an international campaign soon. But first things first, my focus is Mangubat at the moment,” said Suarez during Friday’s presser.
A lot will be at stake for the Ifugao-native Martin (18-0, 15 KOs), currently ranked 12th by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), as he will also defend his Philippine 122-lb belt which he claimed last December.
“My opponent is moving up in weight but it won’t make him a huge underdog because admittedly, he’s faced boxers who are way talented compared with my past foes,” said Martin, dubbed The Wonderboy.
The explosive card promoted by VSP Promotions and Ultimate Knockout Challenge (UKC) of Cucuy Elorde will also feature a 12-round Philippine flyweight title bout between titleholder Bienvenido Ligas and challenger Roland Jay Biendima.
