In a bid to hasten his ascent to big-time boxing, Tokyo Olympics’ bronze medalist Eumir Marcial is looking at an eight-round bout as his second professional fight, which his handlers are planning before the year ends.
“Magda-dagdag na kami ng rounds. Eight rounds na daw ‘yung susunod kong laban” Marcial told Manila Standard, admitting that his outfit, MP Promotions, is lining him up for a second professional fight in December.
In a previous interview, Sean Gibbons, president of the Manny Pacquiao-led MP Promotions, has confirmed that they hope to bring back Marcial to the United States to start his training for a possible fight in December.
“He’s going to be in the ring, having another pro fight by the end of the year. That’s for sure,” said Gibbons.
A few months after signing up with MP Promotions, Marcial hurdled his first pro assignment on a bright note, winning via unanimous decision over American Andrew Whitfield in their four-round tussle on Dec. 16, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Marcial is being trained by the legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach.
As a national athlete, Marcial performed his task with aplomb by bagging a bronze medal in the middleweight men’s boxing competition at the recent 2020+1 Olympics in Tokyo.
And although he is looking forward to a promising professional boxing career, Marcial said he will continue to chase the Olympic gold.
But this early, he has to set his priorities.
If he will be looking at December fight, he this would mean he will not be able to the join the national squad that will see action in the 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships set on Oct. 6 to Nov. 26 in Belgrade, Serbia.
National coach Ronald Chavez said the national boxing team will soon resume its bubble-type training at the Philippine Sports Commission Training Center in Baguio City.
It has not been discussed yet if Marcial will join them.