Eumir Felix Marcial, one of four national athletes who can earn the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo next year, has officially turned professional.
The 24-year-old Marcial inked a deal with eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s promotional outfit MP promotions.
Marcial, who is in training while in home quarantine in Imus, Cavite, will stick it out with MP Promotions for the next six years.
“Napili ko ang MP Promotions dahil sa kanilang 100% support sa aking hangarin na lumaban pa para sa Pilipinas sa mga future SEA Games at Asian Games competitions at maging sa Olympics,” said Marcial.
Marcial joins current world champions Pedro Taduran, Johnriel Casimero and Jerwin Ancajas, who are under the Pacquiao stable and guided by MP promotions president Sean Gibbons.
Marcial has been training while in quarantine at home for the last four months, in Imus, Cavite.
And he may leave home soon, with the Philippine Sports Commission set to form a team of experts to help him prepare for the Tokyo Olympics.
The agency is also set to let him use the boxing gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and make it available to him for workouts.
He thanked members of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, its coaches and officials for guiding him.
“Lubos naman ang aking pasasalamat sa mga nakasama ko sa simula pa lamang ng aking boxing career, unang-una po ang aking pamilya sa ABAP sa pangunguna ni President Ricky Vargas, Secretary-general Ed Picson at coaches Romeo Brin, Pat Gaspi, Boy at Roel Velasco, Elmer Pamisa at Ronald Chavez, sports psychologist Marcus Manalo at performance analyst Jeff Pagaduan,” add Marcial.
He is seeking one professional fight before going to the Olympiad.
Marcial believes that stepping on the ring as a pro, and before the Olympiad, will be a great experience for him.
