Marcial bats for Tokyo warmup
I think I need one or two fights before competing in the Olympics
Eumir Marcial is looking to fight a match or two in the professional ranks before chasing the country’s first gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
A three-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games, Marcial said he is very excited to start his professional career and use all the lessons he will gain in his quest for a gold medal in the Summer Games.
He said competing in one or two professional fights would warm him up and prepare him tactically while gaining enough confidence to slug it out against the best amateur fighters in the world in Tokyo next year.
“Since I’m already considering turning pro, I’m hoping that I can compete this year. I think I need one or two fights before competing in the Olympics,” said the 25-year-old Marcial, who is set to ink his first professional contract in the coming days.
“It is because we don’t have any tournaments or schedules coming in for the amateurs. While at the professional level, they have already started competing.”
Since punching a slot in the Summer Games in March, the slugger has hardly broken a sweat in training.
In fact, other Olympic qualifiers like EJ Obiena of athletics and Carlos Yulo of gymnastics are already deep in their respective trainings while Marcial and another boxer in Irish Magno have yet to start their preparations.
Reports have it that Marcial is set to sign with the MP Promotions of Manny Pacquiao, joining other Filipino champions like Jerwin Ancajas, John Riel Casimero and Pedro Taduran.
He said if plans do not miscarry, he would be starting his professional training around August or October.
“If I enter pro, I will be able to start training for a fight maybe around August or October,” he said, adding that facing other pro fighters before the Olympics will serve as a morale-booster for him.
“It will be a very big help because it will boost my confidence before entering the ring in the Olympics. Also, it will provide the experience and exposure that I will need,” he said.