With six months to go before his quest for the Olympic gold in Paris, Eumir Marcial heads back to the United States on Friday to put his quest in motion.
Booked for a 16 March fight in Manila, Marcial reunites with Kay Koroma in Las Vegas to help him prepare for his fifth professional fight at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The fight would probably be the only time Marcial is fighting before he competes as a light-heavyweight during the Olympics scheduled 26 July to 11 August.
It was Koroma who trained the Filipino southpaw in the runup to his fourth pro bout in early-2023 in San Antonio, Texas.
Sean Gibbons, who represents Marcial through MP Promotions, believes Koroma is the perfect fit owing to his deep knowledge of amateur boxing and likewise his expertise handling top pros as well.
In his last fight, Marcial knocked out Ricardo Villalba of Argentina at the Alamodome.
But plans to give him another fight got derailed when Marcial injured his right hand that required an operation.
By the time it healed, it was too late to send him back to the pros as he was also committed to represent the country in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. China, which served as an Olympic qualifying event.
By finishing second, Marcial automatically earned a trip to Paris.
Marcial is determined to fulfill his dream of winning an Olympic gold after bagging just a bronze in Tokyo in 2021.
So far, 10 have already qualified for Paris, including Marcial.
Heading the list is two-time Olympic champion Cuban Arlen Lopez, who won in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
The powerhouse cast also include Marcial’s tormentor in the semifinal round in Tokyo — Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak — and Salvatore Cavallaro of Italy, Wanderlei Pereira of Brazil and Chinese Toqtarbek Tanatqan, Itbwas Tanatqan who beat Marcial for the Asian Games gold medal.
The final cast will be determined following two Olympic qualifying events in Busto Arsizio, Italy and Bangkok, Thailand, in February and June.
There will be four slots at stake in Italy while three will be added in Thailand.
The 18th spot will come from Universality place that will be determined by the International Olympic Committee.
