Eumir Marcial walks to the neutral corner after knocking down Ricardo Ruben Villalba in their bout last February. | Photo from Marcial’s Facebook page
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial officially announced his decision to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games in China next month.
With this decision, Marcial will pause his budding professional boxing career in the United States.
In a Facebook post, Marcial announced his withdrawal from his upcoming professional fight in the United States to compete in the Asian Games with the hopes of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
READ: Dreaming of Paris, Eumir Marcial commits to Asian Games
Marcial now in PH to train
“I am announcing my withdrawal from my upcoming professional fight in the United States to represent the Philippines in the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics. I am now in the Philippines and will join the Team in a training camp in Australia,” said Marcial on his Facebook post on August 26, 2023.
“I am set to participate in the upcoming Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games in China which is an Olympic qualifying tournament with the full support of my promoters, MP Promotions and TGB Promotions. I am very grateful to my promoters Mr. Manny Pacquiao, Mr. Al Haymon, and MP Promotions President Mr. Sean Gibbons for allowing me to pursue my Olympic dream despite having a contractual obligation in the professionals,” he said.
READ: Suarez beats Dominican Republic boxer even with an injured right hand
MP Promotions’ top prospect
Although Marcial has no exact opponent or date for his next pro bout, but he has already been training there since January at Gibbon’s boxing gym in Las Vegas.
Marcial is one of MP Promotions’ top prospects after signing a multi-year contract in 2019.
The 27-year-old Marcial’s professional record shows four wins and two knockouts. His most recent victory was against Ricardo Ruben Villalba (20-10-1, 8KOs) of Argentina which he knocked out in the second round in San Antonio, Texas.
READ: Collazo, WBO champ, makes Pinoy boxer Diagan quit in 7th round of title fight