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Tag: Eumir Marcial

  • “It was a difficult decision”: Eumir Marcial opens up on skipping Asian Games to focus on professional boxing career

    “It was a difficult decision”: Eumir Marcial opens up on skipping Asian Games to focus on professional boxing career

    Eumir Marcial has long established himself as one of the Philippines’ finest boxers, building an impressive résumé that includes medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games. But as he enters a crucial stage of his career, the Filipino middleweight has made it clear that his focus is now firmly set on achieving his ultimate dream in the professional ranks—a world championship.

     

    The 30-year-old southpaw has confirmed that he will skip the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, opting instead to continue climbing the professional rankings as he pursues a world title opportunity.

     

    Marcial, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) International middleweight champion, is currently preparing for the eighth fight of his professional career, scheduled for September 19—the same day as the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. With another regional title expected to be on the line, Marcial believes remaining active in the professional circuit is the best path toward securing a world title shot next year.

     

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    The decision marks a significant shift for one of the country’s most decorated amateur boxers, who has proudly represented the Philippines in numerous international competitions throughout his career.

     

    Speaking during a media interaction, Marcial revealed that he had already informed Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) president Marcus Manalo of his decision.

     

    “It’s a very hard decision but at the same time, I need to continue what I started in my professional career. They respected my decision because I need to go up in the rankings so I can pursue a world title fight by next year,” Marcial said.

    Although stepping away from the Asian Games was not an easy choice, Marcial emphasized that the timing of his professional career leaves him little room to balance both campaigns.

     

    The Olympic bronze medalist has already spent time training in Japan and is expected to fly to Las Vegas next week, where he will continue preparations under renowned coach Kay Koroma as he fine-tunes his game for his upcoming bout.

     

    “I have already represented the country many times since I went pro. It’s really about time and another regional title belt is also on the line,” he added.

     

    Marcial enters his next fight carrying an unblemished professional record of 7-0 with four knockouts, a run that has steadily strengthened his reputation as one of the most promising Filipino fighters in the middleweight division.

     

    His most recent outing came during the 50th anniversary celebration of the historic “Thrilla in Manila” in October 2025 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where he earned a hard-fought victory over Venezuela’s Eddy Colmenares. The win not only preserved his perfect record but also reinforced his readiness to compete against higher-ranked opposition as he inches closer to a world championship opportunity.

     

    While his immediate focus is on professional boxing, Marcial has not completely closed the door on amateur competition. The Zamboanga native confirmed that he still intends to pursue qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where he hopes to compete in his third Olympics.

     

    “Los Angeles Olympics? Yes. I will try my best to qualify next year and compete for the third time in the Olympics. But for now, I really need to concentrate on my pro career and get a world title shot. Again, it was a difficult decision, but I need to,” Marcial said.

     

    Marcial’s amateur accomplishments have already secured his place among the country’s boxing greats. In addition to winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he captured a silver medal at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships and has collected multiple medals in both the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.

     

    Now entering the prime of his career, Marcial is chasing the one achievement still missing from his decorated résumé—a world championship in the professional ranks. While the Asian Games will move forward without one of the Philippines’ biggest boxing stars, Marcial believes the sacrifice is necessary as he pursues the next—and perhaps biggest—chapter of his career.

     

     

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  • Philippine boxing boosts Asian Games preparations with overseas training 

    Philippine boxing boosts Asian Games preparations with overseas training 

    The Philippine boxing team is leaving little to chance in its bid to reclaim the top of the Asian Games podium.

     

    With the 2026 Asian Games set for September 21 to October 2 in Aichi, Japan, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) has lined up an extensive two-phase overseas training program, believing thorough preparation will be key to ending the country’s 16-year wait for an Asian Games boxing gold medal.

     

    “That’s our goal, of course,” Manalo said.

     

    The Philippines has not produced an Asian Games boxing champion since Rey Saludar captured the flyweight gold medal in Foshan, China in 2010. Since then, the country has come close but has fallen just short of returning to the top step of the podium.

     

    The closest finishes came through Charly Suarez, who settled for silver in the lightweight division at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. 

     

    Rogen Ladon duplicated the feat in the flyweight class at the 2018 edition in Jakarta, Indonesia, before Eumir Marcial added another silver in the middleweight division during the 2022 Games in Hangzhou, China.

     

    Determined to rewrite that narrative, ABAP has arranged a pair of international training camps before the continental meet begins.

     

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    “We are participating in the pre-Asian Games training camp arranged by Asian Boxing, which has two phases,” said Manalo referring to the first one in Bangkok, Thailand, and the other in Nishio City, Japan from next month to September.

     

    The overseas camps are expected to give the national boxers valuable opportunities to spar against some of Asia’s top fighters while allowing them to acclimatize ahead of the Games in Japan.

     

    Leading the Philippine campaign will be a battle-tested core composed of Olympic medalists Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Aira Villegas, all of whom are expected to spearhead the country’s quest for podium finishes in Aichi.

     

    Marcial, in particular, will now devote his full attention to the national team after the planned undercard appearance in the postponed Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather event was put on hold.

     

    “Even prior to the postponement, he has committed for the Asian Games,” said Manalo.

     

    The presence of four Olympic medalists gives the Philippines one of its deepest boxing contingents in recent memory. 

     

    Petecio and Paalam have consistently delivered on the international stage, Marcial remains one of Asia’s premier middleweights, while Villegas continues to build on her breakthrough Olympic campaign as she prepares for another major test.

     

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  • Olympic boxing medalists lead ABAP’s charge for Asian Games redemption in Nagoya 

    Olympic boxing medalists lead ABAP’s charge for Asian Games redemption in Nagoya 

    Experience will be at the heart of the Philippine boxing team’s campaign in the 20th Asian Games as the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) turns to its Olympic medalists to lead the country’s bid for podium finishes in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4. 

     

    Leading the Philippine boxing team for the September 19 to October 4 continental meet in Nagoya, Japan are Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, and Aira Villegas, whom ABAP believes possess the experience needed to contend against Asia’s best.

     

    For ABAP president Marcus Manalo, the Asian Games is not a tournament for athletes who are still learning the ropes. Instead, it is a competition reserved for boxers who have already proven they can compete on the international stage.

     

    “You’re there to get to the podium, to win medals, kung developmental ka pa hindi Asian Games ‘yong exposure, dapat ‘yong competition exposure ide-depende mo rin sa (competition level) ng athlete,” he added.

     

    Manalo stressed that earning a place on the national team requires meeting a high competitive standard rather than simply gaining experience.

     

    “Sa amin kasi you have to be at a specific level before you get to compete in the Asian Game. Sinasabi ko sa mga coaches ‘yong Asian Games hindi ‘yan pwedeng pang-exposure,” said Manalo.

     

    That philosophy explains why the federation is leaning on proven performers with Olympic success.

     

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    Petecio headlines the squad after becoming the first Filipina boxer to win an Olympic medal when she captured silver at the Tokyo Olympics before adding a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

     

    Although the 34-year-old is still recovering from eye surgery following an injury, ABAP remains confident she will be ready in time for Nagoya.

     

    “May mga restrictions pa, pero she’s been preparing for the Asian Games, so, I think we’re going to get clearance naman kasi may several months pa naman,” Manalo said.

     

    Joining Petecio are Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam, Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas, giving the Philippines one of its most experienced boxing lineups in recent years.

     

    ABAP is also exploring the possibility of adding professional boxer Weljon Mindoro as it seeks to field a deeper and more competitive delegation capable of challenging for multiple medals.

     

    While the federation continues to develop its younger talents, Manalo believes exposing them too early to one of Asia’s toughest sporting events could do more harm than good.

     

    “Mayroon naman tayo mga up-and-coming pero ‘yong Asian Games, it could be overwhelming rin din kasi for them, not all experience is good experience sa gantong level,” he added.

     

    Instead, ABAP plans to continue giving its emerging boxers international exposure through other competitions before entrusting them with the demands of the Asian Games.

     

    With a roster built around Olympic-tested veterans, the Philippine boxing federation is aiming to turn lessons from Hangzhou into a stronger medal campaign in Nagoya.

     

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  • Eumir Marcial shifts focus to professional boxing, begins training camp in Japan

    Eumir Marcial shifts focus to professional boxing, begins training camp in Japan

    Eumir Marcial continues to strengthen his legacy as one of the most accomplished Filipino boxers of his generation, adding another milestone to an already decorated amateur and professional career that has spanned Olympic, world, and regional success.

     

    The 30-year-old middleweight standout recently captured his fifth Southeast Asian Games gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok, Thailand, further cementing his dominance in the regional circuit. Marcial delivered another composed and clinical performance en route to the title, extending his remarkable consistency in a competition where he has long been regarded as the Philippines’ most reliable gold-medal source in boxing.

     

    Beyond his SEA Games success, Marcial’s résumé includes a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a silver medal at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships, achievements that have placed him among the elite names in Philippine boxing history. His transition from amateur standout to professional contender has only added to his growing reputation as a fighter capable of excelling on multiple stages.

     

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    Despite his continued success in the amateur ranks, Marcial is now placing greater emphasis on his professional boxing career. He has opted to shift focus away from potential participation in future multi-sport events such as the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, choosing instead to fully prepare for high-level professional bouts in the middleweight division.

     

    A key part of this transition involves relocating portions of his training camp to Tokyo, Japan, where he believes he can access stronger sparring opportunities and a more competitive training environment.

     

    “As a Filipino middleweight boxer, it is difficult to get the proper training and preparation in the Philippines because there are very few natural middleweight fighters available for quality sparring. That’s why, in order to have the best possible preparation, we need to look abroad and train in a country where we can find the right level of training environment,” Marcial said in a media interaction.

    Marcial emphasized that the move is not a reflection of local training standards but rather a strategic decision to enhance his readiness against international-level opposition, particularly in a division where physical matchups and sparring depth are crucial for development.

     

    He also acknowledged the strong support system behind his decision, expressing gratitude to his team, promoters, and national sporting institutions that continue to back his professional ambitions.

     

    “I would like to thank my support system and my promoter, Sean Gibbons, for arranging this training camp. I would also like to thank my Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) family for their continued support, as well as the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and B-Steel for their invaluable assistance,” he added.

     

    Marcial currently holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) International middleweight title, a regional championship he secured with a hard-fought victory over Venezuela’s Eddy Colmenares during the 50th anniversary commemoration of the “Thrilla in Manila” at the Araneta Coliseum in October 2025. The win preserved his perfect professional record, improving him to 7-0 with four knockouts and further signaling his readiness for bigger international opportunities.

     

    With his career entering a critical phase, Marcial views his current training camp in Japan as the foundation for what he hopes will be breakthrough opportunities in the global middleweight scene.

     

    “This is the beginning of my preparations for the big fights ahead, God willing. Our training camp starts here. Let’s go Tokyo, Japan,” Marcial concluded.

     

    As he balances a decorated amateur legacy with an increasingly ambitious professional path, Marcial remains one of the most closely watched Filipino athletes on the international boxing stage.

     

     

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