Tough veteran for Marcial
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 10 Feb 2023
Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial battles rugged Argentinian Ricardo Ruben (Bebo) Villalba in an eight-round tussle at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday night (Sunday morning, Manila time) and from the looks of things, the fight could steal the thunder from the main event featuring WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas against O’Shaquie Foster for the vacant WBO superfeatherweight title.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons described Villalba as a tough and seasoned Argentinian whose record speaks for itself. While Marcial has logged only three pro fights, Villalba checks in with a card of 20-7-1, including eight KOs. Villalba, 33, turned pro in 2010, the year when Marcial fought and lost a three-round decision to Jayson Amper in the schoolboys light paperweight (42 kg) division at the Palarong Pambansa in Tarlac. Marcial, 27, made his pro debut two years ago and has compiled a 3-0 mark, including one KO. Against Isiah Hart in Las Vegas last April, he survived three trips to the canvas and stopped the Peruvian in the fourth round of a sixer. And last October, Marcial bucked a nasty cut in the corner of his right eyebrow to pitch a six-round shutout over Steven Pichardo in Carson City. The gash was inflicted by an accidental headbutt and took five stitches to close.
After enduring a harrowing experience in his last two outings, Marcial is ready to step up and fight in his first eight-rounder. Villalba, unbeaten in his first 13 bouts, has fought in four 12-rounders and nine 10-rounders so he’s tread in waters that are unfamiliar to Marcial. He has seen action in Russia, Romania and Las Vegas aside from Argentina so fighting away from home isn’t an issue. Villalba has held the South American welterweight, WBO Latino superwelterweight and WBA Asia superwelterweight titles. The downside is he has lost his last three assignments, one by a TKO and two on points. All the more, Villalba is determined to get back on the winning track at Marcial’s expense.
“Hopefully, Villalba will give Eumir some rounds and we’ll see how Eumir looks with the full camp,” said Gibbons. Marcial leaves his base in Las Vegas for San Antonio today with trainer Jorge Capetillo. It was Capetillo who raved about Marcial’s courage in defeating Pichardo with blood smearing his face from the second round. Capetillo said the cut was too deep and a small vein kept spurting out blood. “This was just the beginning for Eumir,” said Capetillo whom Marcial fondly calls Papa. “He showed a lot of maturity, patience and composure.” Publicist Fred Sternberg noted that the combined record of Marcial’s three opponents so far was 17-5-1, with eight KOs or a total of 23 fights compared to Villalba’s log of 28 bouts.
“Villalba represents a big step up in opposition for Eumir in terms of talent and experience,” said Gibbons. “But we’re confident Eumir will pass this test with flying colors. Eumir had a terrific training camp and after consulting with Senor Capetillo, it was decided that Eumir was ready to move up to the eight-round level.” Villalba’s record reflects the kind of fighter he is----a brawler who lives and dies by the hammer. Whether Marcial can weather this brewing storm remains to be seen.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 20 Jan 2026Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026“Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Mon, 19 Jan 2026RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 17 Jan 2026