Marcial likely to stay in L.A.
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 14 Jan 2021
Marcial (R) with Roach (L) and Gibbons (C).
Tokyo Olympic middleweight boxing qualifier Eumir Marcial is expected to stay in Los Angeles until after his next pro fight in March and possibly up to April when IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas defends his crown against Mexico’s Jonathan Rodriguez then will return home for the final stages of training in his bid to capture the country’s first gold medal in the Summer Games.
Marcial, 24, arrived in L.A. last October to train with Freddie Roach, Marvin Somodio and strength/conditioning coach Justin Fortune as arranged by MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons. Last month, he made his pro debut, scoring a shutout decision over Andrew Whitfield in L.A. A slot was set aside for Marcial to join the ABAP pool in bubble training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba but it appears that he’s staying put in L.A. for the meantime. Marcial is also likely to skip a possible training camp with the ABAP team in Thailand. ABAP is preparing fighters to seek Olympic tickets in the final world qualifiers in May or June.
Gibbons will arrive in L.A. from his Las Vegas home today and meet with Marcial to finalize his training plans. “I’m looking at Eumir training the next two months in L. A. and doing one more fight then going back to Manila,” said Gibbons. “The goal is gold. I will consult Eumir and get his feeling on the best way to prepare for Tokyo. Eumir has Marvin and Freddie full-time when he trains in the afternoon and Justin in the morning. He also has Jerwin, Joven (Jimenez) and Jonas (Sultan) full-time at the house. My son Brendan or I bring him to the gym every day. He has the A-Team treatment. Let’s pray there is a Tokyo Olympics.”
ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson said ABAP sports psychologist Marcus Manalo reached out to Marcial recently for his thoughts on training preparations. Marcial reportedly intimated a preference to work with ABAP coaches in the final run-up to Tokyo.
Sparring is a critical consideration in Marcial’s training program because at his weight, there is a dearth of talent in the Philippines. In L.A., Marcial has the pick of the best sparring partners available. He stays in a home in L.A. with Ancajas, Jimenez and Sultan where they work out in a makeshift gym with a 16x16 ring in the backyard. For the holidays, they went to Las Vegas. Jimenez returned to L.A. last Dec. 30 while Gibbons’ son Brendan took Ancajas, Marcial and Sultan on a 10-day road trip to Arizona and Texas. They’re now all back in L.A. Marcial took his mandatory COVID-19 test yesterday and the result is expected today. The plan is to report back for training by Monday at the latest.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024