Marcial flies to US to prepare for pro fight, Olympics

Eumir Marcial

MANILA, Philippines: Olympic boxer Eumir Marcial is flying to the United States to train for his first professional fight of the year, which will be held in the Philippines in March.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Marcial said his upcoming professional fight in the country will serve as a buildup for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France in July.

“This campaign is one of the most challenging as I gear up in fighting some of my strongest opponents in the Paris Olympics—10 of the world’s outstanding boxers in my weight class have qualified,” he wrote.

Marcial listed two opponents that he faced, including Oleksandr Khyzkniak of Ukraine, who he fought in the Tokyo Olympics semifinals, as well as Tuohetaerbieke Tanglatihan (also known as Toqtarbek Tanatqan) of China, his opponent in the gold medal game of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Other opponents he listed are 2-time Olympic gold medalist Arlen Lopez of Cuba, Callum Peters of Australia and Abdelrahman Oraby of Egypt.

“I believe that it is possible for us to clinch the Olympic gold medal for the Philippines,” he wrote, citing the help of the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, as well as his sponsors and promoters.

While his opponent in March is yet to be revealed, Marcial’s pro fight is set to take place at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila on March 16. He has a 4-0 pro record with two knockout wins.