Marcial undecided on pro career
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 01 Apr 2020
Eumir Felix Marcial.
Olympic middleweight boxing qualifier Eumir Marcial said the other day he’s been approached by several “big-time” promoters inviting him to turn pro but at the moment, his mind is focused on capturing the Philippines’ first gold medal at the rescheduled Tokyo Games.
Marcial, 24, said if ever he joins the pro ranks, it will be a difficult decision. “Right now, I’m not entertaining any offers,” he said in Pilipino while on self-quarantine in his Imus, Cavite, home. “I’m really not sure to turn pro. I don’t know if it will mean sacrificing my lifetime work as a solider with the Air Force. But if there’s a good opportunity to excel in boxing and give honor to our country, I’ll seriously consider it. My only focus now is the Olympics.”
Marcial said in the pros, he would be a supermiddleweight in his Olympic middleweight division of 75 kilograms (165.347 pounds). In the pros, the middleweight limit is 160 pounds and the supermiddleweight ceiling is 168. Below the middleweight division are superwelterweight (154 pounds) and welterweight (147 pounds). In the Olympics, below the middleweight division is welterweight (69 kilograms or 152.119 pounds) and the next division up is lightheavyweight (81 kilograms or 178.574 pounds).
Marcial said he could go down to 160 pounds in the pros but it may be hard to reduce to superwelterweight or welterweight. “I’m fighting at 165 now,” said Marcial. “Maybe, I could reduce to 160 but not to 154 or 147.” The welterweight division is where Sen. Manny Pacquiao fights and it’s where the big bucks are.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Marcial would be a prized catch for Pacquiao’s stable. “I’ve never met Eumir but I’ve seen him fight and I know all about him,” said Gibbons. “He’s the kind of fighter whom we’d like with MP Promotions. I know he fought in the final of the recent Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament in Jordan with a slight concussion and still won. That took a lot of guts and heart. He’s a strong puncher just like the Senator. And he fights for his country just like the Senator. When he’s ready to go pro, we’ll make sure to invite him to join MP Promotions.”
Gibbons said finding the ideal weight division for Marcial in the pros wouldn’t be difficult. “It’s different in the Olympics,” he said. “You fight every other day and weigh in the morning of each fight. In the pros, you watch your weight throughout the training period then make the limit at the weigh in the day before the fight. A good nutritionist should be able to determine what would be Eumir’s best weight. Personally, I think he could go down to 154 and maybe even 147. Imagine Eumir’s power at superwelterweight or welterweight. He’ll be devastating. With the Senator’s guidance, Eumir will go far.”
Gibbons said Marcial could turn pro without jeopardizing his Olympic dream. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, three pros joined the competition and one of them was former IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand. Olympic boxing is now open to pros, subject to approval by the sanctioning body. “I think Eumir has the potential to become a major player in the pros,” said Gibbons. “MP Promotions is prepared to support him in any way. We want him to succeed in his Olympic journey. That’s the priority. If and when he’s ready to consider turning pro, we’ll do what we can to give him the opportunity to become a world champion.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 APRIL 2026: Jarrell Miller Outpoints Lenier Pero; Chaves, Sosa win in Vegas show
By Eric Armit, Tue, 28 Apr 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Preparing to fight on Major Global Platform
Tue, 28 Apr 2026“The Boss” Mig is PBO president
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Apr 2026Teófimo moving up to welterweight?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Apr 2026Donatelo Pinlac reigns supreme
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Apr 2026'THE COMEBACK' IS CONFIRMED: AJ RETURNS TO RIYADH ON JULY 25 AS HEAVYWEIGHT ICON FACES KRSITIAN PRENGA – LIVE ON DAZN
Tue, 28 Apr 2026SANDOVAL vs YAFAI UNIFICATION WORLD TITLE FIGHT TOPS THE BILL IN SHEFFIELD ON JUNE 6 – LIVE ON DAZN – AS DALTON SMITH IS SIDELINED
Tue, 28 Apr 2026IBA Global Boxing Series 2026 – India Edition delivers landmark night of professional boxing in Mumbai
Tue, 28 Apr 2026Xander Zayas Signs Multi-Year Extension with Top Rank
Tue, 28 Apr 2026Victor Wembanyama ties Shaquille O'Neal's Playoff Points-Rebounds-Blocks Record
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Apr 2026Pinoy chesser bags gold in China tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Apr 2026MELBOURNE FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS NICOLSON TAKES ON TURNER FOR THE WBC INTERIM WORLD TITLE
Mon, 27 Apr 2026‘I’m coming to put on a performance—something exciting, something real. Don’t blink – The Black Hulk Bilal Seidu is back May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
Mon, 27 Apr 2026Fil-Am Brandon Kier Sustento strikes again in US chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 27 Apr 2026Llover nears title shot
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 27 Apr 2026