Filipino prospect Carl Jammes Martin recovered from a third-round knockdown and battered a tough Aran Dipaen of Thailand to grind out a unanimous decision win in the Thrilla in Manila 2 card Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Martin survived a scare in the third canto when Dipaen sent him down with a right hook to the face. He beat the count and still pressed on, often pinning the visiting fighter to the ropes with combinations to the head and the body.
Dipaen though remained dangerous throughout their 10-round bout, uncorking solid counter right hands each time Martin tried to pummel him on the ropes.
The pride of Ifugao, Mountain Province sweetened his recovery when he got back at Dipaen with his own knockdown in the ninth round.
Scores were 98-91, 97-92, 98-90 for Martin, who improved to 27-0 (with 24 knockouts) and annexed the World Boxing Organization international super bantamweight title in the process.
Dipaen fell to 21-5 (18 KOs).