Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial is caught between the devil and deep blue sea.
Admitting that the glow of an Olympic gold medal mesmerizes him, Marcial told Daily Tribune over the weekend that he is meeting with MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons this week in Las Vegas to decide what’s best for him.
“We are going to talk things over and see what’s the best thing to do,” Marcial said shortly after arriving in Los Angeles.
Marcial is targeting a stint in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, this
September-October that could land him a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“My Olympic dream is still alive,” Marcial said, noting that even Manny Pacquiao is backing his Olympic drive.
But his professional career could get in the way.
Having already fought and won four times as a middleweight, Marcial could find himself in a bind if the pro ranks comes up with a calendared fight in the next few months.
“Not committed to anything (yet),” Gibbons said when asked about a planned pro fight.
“We are going to discuss.”
Marcial also flew back to the States to have his right hand re-examined by experts.
Last February, after knocking out Argentine foe Ricardo Villalba, Marcial hurt his hand and American doctors had to operate on it.
“I have started using it during (light) training,” Marcial said.
The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines is giddy with excitement over Marcial’s return to its fold.
National coach Ronald Chavez feels the Zamboanga southpaw has to report early for training camp, stressing that it would be better if Marcial spends a minimum of two months with the national team.
The Hangzhou Asian Games is a qualifying event for Paris 2024.
‘I have started using it during (light) training.’
But Marcial admits that the road to Olympic glory is going to be extra tough.
Instead of campaigning in the 75-kilogram class, he has to bulk up and fight in the 80-kg division “because 75 (kg) won’t be included (in Paris).”
“I think I am at a disadvantage because I will be (naturally) smaller when I go up (in eight),” Marcial said.
Apart from the ABAP, the Philippine Olympic Committee is also excited to have Marcial on board for the Asian Games given his lofty status.
All of Marcial’s fights in the US were put up by Premier Boxing Champions, the influential outfit ran by Al Haymon, a major player in big-time professional boxing.
