Unbeaten and undefiled
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Oct 2025
Six undefeated fighters will put their unblemished records on the line during the “Thrilla In Manila” Golden Anniversary boxing card with the first of 13 bouts starting 12 noon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
The six are middleweight Eumir Marcial (6-0, 4 KOs), superbantamweight Carl Jammes Martin (26-0, 20 KOs), lightflyweight Berlan Robles (12-0-1, 5 KOs), middleweight Vadim Tukov (16-0, 7 KOs), lightweight Eman Bacosa (6-0-1, 4 KOs) and lightweight Ronerick Ballesteros (5-0-1, 4 KOs). Of the six, only Martin and Turov are world-rated. Martin, 26, is ranked No. 2 by WBO and No. 8 by IBF in the 122-pound division while Turov, 31, is ranked No. 2 by WBA and No. 10 by IBF in the 160-pound class.
Marcial and Martin are now based in Las Vegas, staying in MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons’ Knuckleheads spread which has living quarters and training facilities. They’re back in Manila to celebrate the “Thrilla” anniversary. Five of Marcial’s fights were in the US and the four-time SEA Games gold medalist is chasing the vacant WBC International middleweight crown. A win over Venezuelan KO artist Eddy Colmenares will be his ticket to a top 10 rating. Colmenares, 28, is known as “El Terrible,” borrowing Erik Morales’ nickname, and has won 11 fights all by KO, five in the first round. His two losses were close decisions, one majority and the other split. Colmenares has fought in Russia, Argentina and Germany aside from Venezuela so he’s no stranger to fighting on unfriendly soil.
Martin’s last seven opponents were foreigners, three Mexicans, two Thais and two Tanzanians. He’s taking on another Thai Aran Dipaen whose four career defeats were away from home, twice in Japan and once each in Russia and UK. Dipaen, who was stopped by Naoya Inoue in an IBF bantamweight title match in 2021, boasts a record of 21-4, 18 KOs. It’s a homecoming for Martin and Marcial who’re promising an explosive ending to their assignments.
Tukov is up against Ghana’s Sena Agbeko in an eight-rounder. The Russian had an extensive amateur career of 60 fights before turning pro in 2020. He’s the reigning WBA International and Golden middleweight champion. It’s his first fight outside of Russia. Agbeko, 33, roared to a 15-0 start in his pro career then lost a decision to Russia’s Vladimir Shishkin in 2021. He intends to avenge that defeat to Shishkin by dealing Tukov his first defeat.
Robles, 25, will challenge WBC International Silver lightflyweight champion Arvin Magramo in a tenner. Bacosa, 21, drew with Jommel Cudiamat in his pro debut then rattled off six straight wins. He faces Nico Salado who’s coming off a 14-month layoff from losing on points to Ricky Cristobal. Ballesteros has won his last four fights by KO and the Jackhammer aims to add Speedy Boy Acope to his list of victims.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 05 Jan 2026SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 05 Jan 202687th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 05 Jan 2026Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
Wed, 31 Dec 2025Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Donaire awaits WBA order
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 30 Dec 2025