If Eumir Marcial keeps on winning, the Filipino banger will find himself fighting for a professional world title in 2024.
But here’s the rub.
To make it happen, Marcial will have to give up on his Olympic dreams, something his American chief handler cum dealmaker said is bound to happen especially if they will follow their blueprint.
“Amateur boxing is over,” Sean Gibbons told Daily Tribune on Monday from the United States.
Marcial is coming off a second-round knockout of Argentine Ricardo Villalba to run his pro record to 4-0 with two knockouts.
In fact, Marcial has been advised to keep his weight in check as he will be making his debut as a ten-rounder probably in May.
“I was told it will be for a regional title,” Marcial said after his swift demolition of Villalba at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
That scheduled 10-rounder will run in conflict with the 32nd Southeast Asian Games that Phnom Penh is hosting from 6 to 17 May.
“Besides, I have already won four gold medals (in the SEA Games),” Marcial said, sounding off that he won’t be gunning for a fifth after winning in 2015 (Singapore), 2017 (Kuala Lumpur), 2019 (Manila) and 2022 (Hanoi).
The road to the 2024 Paris Olympics starts in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September-October which will serve as an Olympic qualifying event.
Based on the timeline laid out by his pro team, Marcial will have no choice but to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Though he didn’t categorically say that he will no longer attempt to qualify, Marcial insists he remains eager to realize one of his dreams.
But given the situation he is in, he has to decide once and for all so he can give his 100 percent effort in the chosen endeavor.
Interestingly, Marcial no longer receives a monthly allowance from the Philippine Sports Commission since he has been based in America since last year.
Last time he got involved in a national team undertaking was during the Hanoi SEA Games.
Given that Marcial is temporarily unattached with his mother organization, his expenses are being covered by Gibbons and the promotional group he is aligned with.
“That’s why I need to fight,” Marcial said.
Clearly, the handwriting is on the wall.
