Marcial’s priority is Olympic quest
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 26 May 2020
Eumir Marcial shows off his vegetable “plantation” on the rooftop of his Imus, Cavite, home.
There’s no doubt in Olympic middleweight boxing qualifier Eumir Marcial’s mind that his priority is representing the country in the Tokyo Games next year and his commitment to ABAP to go for gold is as strong as ever.
Marcial said yesterday he will not make a decision on how to prepare for the Olympics----as a pro or amateur----until meeting with ABAP president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Ed Picson. But he indicated that with the uncertainty of the Olympics pushing through because of the pandemic, maybe, it’s time to consider turning pro. The other day, Marcial had a one-hour video conference call with Picson and ABAP sports psychologist Marcus Manalo to discuss options for the future. Marcial made it clear he has neither signed a contract with an agent or lawyer nor designated a spokesman.
“Wala pang desisyon,” said Marcial. “Hintayin ko mag-usap muli kami nina Mr. Vargas at Mr. Picson. Ang payo nila ay mahalaga kasi matagal na kaming nagsama, parang isang dekada na. Habang may quarantine, pagaaralan ko mga options. Huwag sana closed door yung pagiging pro. Salamat sa mga tumutulong sa akin at nagbibigay ng advice. Sinasaliksik kong mabuti ang mga opinion ng hinihingan ko ng tulong.”
Marcial confirmed that he has been approached by several boxing groups to manage his professional career. “Si Shelly (Finkel) unang kumausap sa akin,” he said. “Matchroom at Sean Gibbons kinausap na rin ako. Nag-group chat kami ni Senator (Manny) Pacquiao at Sean. Honestly, I want to turn pro. This year, 25 na ako (on Oct. 29). Maiksi ang career sa pro boxing kaya ngayon at malakas pa ako at kondisyon ang katawan ko, baka pwede na ako mag-pro. ‘Di natin alam gaano katagal pwede mag-pro boxing, baka biglang-bigla, wala na ang pagkakataon. Sanay na ako sa pro rules kasi nag WSB (World Series of Boxing) na ako dati. Kung mag-improve ako at makakatulong sa Olympics, baka mag-pro na ako.”
Marcial, however, said even if he turns pro before the Olympics, it won’t mean turning his back on the Tokyo Games. “Kung sakasakali, kasama ko ABAP coaches sa pros so yung focus nasa Olympics pa rin,” he said. “Si Charly (Suarez), nag-pro but lumaban sa last SEA Games at nag-gold medal.” Marcial admitted there is a difference in fighting in the pros and in the Olympics. In the pros, fights are scheduled weeks or even months apart but in the Olympics, bouts are every other day with weigh-ins the morning of each outing. It’s an adjustment that he must make in case he turns pro before Tokyo.
“Ang pangarap ko ay lumaban sa Olympics,” said Marcial. “Kung makakatulong ang pag-pro sa layunin ko, gagawin ko. But kung may ibang plano na maganda ang ABAP, paguusapan din ‘yan. Susuriin kong mabuti para ‘di ako magkamali sa desisyon. Alam ko, kinakausap ng ABAP sina Shelly at Sean para alamin kung ano ang best offer para sa akin at sa kinabubuti ng ating Olympic goal.”
While in quarantine in Imus, Marcial continues to stay in shape with exercises and drills. He’s also attending to his ampalaya, sili, eggplant and tomatoes, among others, planted in sacks and tin cans on the rooftop of his home. To help out those in need in nearby barangays, Marcial is distributing rice, canned food and relief goods. He has reached out to friends to contribute and so far, his collection includes 400 sacks of rice. Marcial isn’t just fighting for the country in the ring but also out of it.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
More lucrative fights await Manny Pacquiao
By Leo Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Rumors about Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Tapales, Laurente to help Inoue against MJ
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 2025AL BERNSTEIN, CHRISTY MARTIN AND ERIC BOTTJER TO SERVE AS ALL-STAR COMMENTARY TEAM FOR THIS FRIDAY’S ‘LOPEZ VS. VARGAS’ EVENT
Thu, 17 Jul 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS CONGRATULATES SUBRIEL MATIAS ON BECOMING THE WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Thu, 17 Jul 2025Gaisano Grand Cup Season 20 opens August 3
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 17 Jul 2025HALL OF FAMER MANNY PACQUIAO SET TO CHASE HISTORY YET AGAIN THIS SATURDAY NIGHT IN WORLD TITLE FIGHT AGAINST MARIO BARRIOS
Wed, 16 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: New York, a Special Place for Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua talking for a possible fight?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Philippines Rolls Past Pacific Oceania in Davis Cup Group IV Opener as Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors Set the Pace
Wed, 16 Jul 2025QUOTES FROM TONY HARRISON’S OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT TODAY IN DETROIT
Wed, 16 Jul 20253-Time World Champion Miyo Yoshida is tired of playing Boxing’s dreaded waiting game
Wed, 16 Jul 2025RP Blu Girls Dominate India to Strengthen Asia Cup Campaign
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Pacquiao-Barrios Betting Odds in Las Vegas: Where Are Bettors Placing Their Money?
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 16 Jul 2025