A homecoming fight for Olympian boxer Eumir Felix Marcial in Manila.
Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions formally confirmed that the 28-year-old Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist will be fighting a tough super middleweight Thai fighter, Thoedsak Sinam on March 23 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Former Senator and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao said he is very, very excited to make this fight a reality — spearheading Marcial’s bout in Manila before the Asian Games silver medalist fights again in the Summer Olympics.
“Just like the rest of many Filipinos around the country, I’m very excited to spearhead a fight for Eumir here in the Philippines, so everybody will get a chance to see him fight before the Paris Olympics,” Pacquiao announced.
“It’s going to be a great fight, a great treat for the Filipino fans as Eumir Felix Marcial will be fighting for the hometown crowd,” MP Promotions’ president Sean Gibbons said, adding that the fight will set up the tone for Marcial heading to the Paris Olympics.
“Everybody wants to see their fellow Eumir, a big guy boxer fighting for them for free. This fight will serve as a good fitting sendoff heading to his Olympic campaign. Everybody will be there too,” he added. “This is for the people.”
Gibbons said that Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Dicky Bachmann, PSC Commissioners Walter Torres, Fritz Gaston, Olivia Bong Coo, Edward Hayco and Executive Director Paolo Tatad are invited to watch the fight.
“We are so thankful to these people for making this fight a possibility and for helping not only Marcial but also the rest of the other Filipino athletes to achieve their dreams,” he added.
“The POC and the PSC salute to them for helping the athletes like Eumir.”
Marcial is currently undergoing training, conditioning, and sparring sessions in Las Vegas, Nevada under coach Kay Koroma who trains and develops a lot of amateur boxers competing in the Olympics since the 2016 Rio games.
Marcial’s fight against Sinam, who sports a 23-13 record with 19 knockouts, will showcase his boxing skills.
After that fight, the undefeated Marcial (4-0 record with two knockouts) will return to the US to continue his training for the Paris Summer Olympic Games slated from July 26 to August 11.
Marcial will be marching to his second Olympic stint after bagging a silver medal in the light heavyweight division at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games, an Olympic qualifying tournament last October.
