Martin back to 122

Newly-crowned WBC Silver featherweight champion Carl Jammes Martin won’t stay in the 126-pound ranks after all and is sliding down to the superbantamweight class where he’s ranked No. 1 by WBO and in line for a mandatory shot at the throne.

That’s according to Martin’s matchmaker Sean Gibbons who said undisputed WBC/WBA/WBO/IBF 122-pound ruler Naoya Inoue is expected to move up in weight, clearing the way for the unbeaten Ifugao warrior to fight for any of the four soon-to-be-vacant titles. Martin made his featherweight debut against Mexico’s David Picasso in Riyadh last weekend to showcase himself to a world-wide audience via the DAZN coverage.

“Carl isn’t staying a featherweight,” said Gibbons. “Now that he got his signature win, Carl will go back to 122 and wait for his world title shot. Against Picasso, I thought he took seven rounds and that’s what a lot of fans thought, too.” Martin, however, isn’t ruling out campaigning in the featherweight division and even said he’s open to a rematch with Picasso. But Gibbons noted that with the pathway to a world superbantamweight title crack clearing up, the direction is to get ready for the chance of a lifetime.

Martin prepared three months in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for Picasso. Gibbons said he was focused and disciplined throughout the stay with his father/trainer Abel. Martin trained with coach Marvin Somodio for about three weeks in LA. Somodio couldn’t join Martin in Riyadh as he had a previous commitment in London.

Martin’s adviser Dennis Principe said the plan was to frustrate Picasso and goad him into engaging at close range. The idea was to take away Picasso’s five-inch reach advantage. “Carl did some showboating, that was part of the plan to throw off Picasso,” said Principe who was in Martin’s corner with Abel and cutman Hervi Estrada. “Carl was too fast for Picasso and owes his conditioning and footwork to coach Mel Lantin who also trains Kai Sotto.” Martin arrived in Manila last Monday night from Riyadh via Al Qassim and Jeddah.