Olympian Eumir Marcial turned his birthday into a night to remember, overcoming adversity and showcasing championship grit to capture his first professional international boxing title on Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Marcial, bloodied but unbowed, survived two knockdowns en route to a majority decision victory over Venezuela’s Eddy Colmenares in the co-main event of “Thrilla in Manila 2,” held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic 1975 Ali–Frazier classic.
The win earned Marcial the vacant WBC International Middleweight Championship and extended his unbeaten record to 7-0 (4 KOs).
Nagpapasalamat po ako sa opportunity na ito, sa lahat ng aking sponsors, at kay Senator Manny (Pacquiao). At sa lahat ng nanood ngayong gabi, salamat po sa inspirasyon ninyo,” Marcial said, visibly emotional after the fight.
The Filipino Olympic bronze medalist had to dig deep after being floored in the third and tenth rounds. Despite the setbacks, Marcial relied on his superior ring craft — mixing sharp jabs, well-timed counters, and punishing body shots — to regain control of the action.
Colmenares, known for his power punches, found early success with wild exchanges, dropping Marcial midway through the third round. But the pride of Zamboanga quickly regrouped, dictating the tempo through disciplined combinations and movement.
The drama peaked in the final round when Colmenares connected with a big right hand that sent Marcial down again. But by that time, Marcial was ahead on the scorecards. With the clock ticking, Marcial rose to his feet, steadied himself, and boxed smartly to hear the final bell.
The judges scored it 95-93, 95-93, and 94-94, awarding Marcial a hard-fought victory — one that showcased not just his skill, but his sheer will to win.
