Carl Jammes Martin couldn't believe when he started reading his name on newspapers and websites.
Martin, the 21-year-old boxer from Lagawe, Ifugao, slowly made waves in the boxing scene after getting a comparison to the younger version of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. To top it all, Martin, who started his professional career in 2016, remained undefeated in 16 fights and won 14 times by way of knockout.
So when the Ifugao knockout artist continued his winning ways, a couple of children started flocking the Ifugao Boxing Stable in the hopes of following Martin's footsteps.
But the Philippine Boxing Federation bantamweight champion shared first the consequences of being a boxer at a young age.
"Bago muna 'yun, sabi ko, 'Bago kayo magsalita, habang bata pa kayo, pag-isipan niyo muna kasi napakahirap. Dapat hindi lang 'yung gusto mo lang, hindi 'yung nakikita mo lang . Hindi ganoon kadali,'" recalled Martin in a recent interview with the Manila Bulletin.
"Shine-share ko muna sa kanila na dapat 'yung pangarap mo sa buhay, hahanapin mo kasi muna iyan, Sabi ko sa kanila, kung talagang desidido sila, then train."
For Martin himself, the life of a young boxer wasn't an easy decision, but the encouragement from his father Abel Martin Sr. became his source of inspiration to pursue boxing.
Mentoring is also Martin's way of giving back to the youth. And he doesn't want the credit for himself.
"Marami pa pong pausbong na kabataan na gustong sumikat, makatulong sa family, and then soon makaagbigay makabigay ng magandang pangalan para sa bansa. Then makabuo din ng sariling pangalan nila," the soft-spoken Martin said.
Early in January, after 14 days of quarantine, Martin continues to juggle his time training for future fights and giving lessons to the aspiring boxers as the Ifugao Boxing Stable resumed its operations.