A few days ago in cool Tagaytay City, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial expressed excitement over his upcoming fifth professional fight.
The Filipino southpaw is being lined up for a crucial bout against a foreign foe in line with his buildup for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I really hope that this fight pushes through because it would play a big role in my preparation for the Olympics,” Marcial said.
Marcial last fought under pro rules last February in San Antonio, Texas, where he mauled Argentine mauler Ricardo Villalba in just two rounds.
Then he represented the country in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in September-October and finished second, the runner-up placing giving him an automatic slot to Paris.
Marcial feels it will be vital that he fights twice before heading for France.
Of course, in-between fights, Marcial, who will fight in the light-heavyweight category since his original weight class of middleweight has been scrapped, would be in training mode.
Initially, it was mentioned that he would hold his fifth pro bout in Tagaytay City but it could end up being staged in Manila, the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex as another potential venue.
The RMSC has two perfect sites for Marcial’s fight: The Ninoy Aquino Stadium and the Rizal Coliseum.
Regardless of the preferred place, Marcial believes fighting two times in 2024 would boost his chances of making it to the podium.
That’s exactly what was proposed immediately after the Asian Games with MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons leading the way.
“We are fully behind Eumir’s Olympic quest,” said Gibbons, whose bid to promote a Marcial fight on local soil has solid backing from Joe Ramos, another top guy at MP Promotions.
No less than Manny Pacquiao, who owns the promotional outfit, has given them the green light to help Marcial in his bold Olympic bid.
The Paris Olympics will run from 26 July until 11 August, giving the Zamboanga hitter enough time to squeeze in two pro fights.
Once he gets there, Marcial will join a star-studded cast that includes Toqtarbek Tanatqan, his Chinese tormentor in Hangzhou.
Marcial will also be on the lookout for Cuban super fighter Arlen Ramos and Ukrainian banger Oleksandr Khyzhniak, who beat him in the semis of the Tokyo Olympics.
Looking at the cast, it is safe to say that Marcial will have his hands full in Paris.
It’s time for his handlers to finalize a fight. Time is of the essence.
