Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 17 Dec 2025
Marcial (L) and Mindoro (R).
It’s make or break for boxers Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas and Weljon Mindoro as they see action today in the semifinals for the chance to go for gold at the SEA Games in Bangkok. The three drew byes in the quarterfinals and booked outright tickets to the semifinals so it will be their first appearance in the ongoing competitions. They’re assured of a bronze but that’s not what’s on their minds.
Marcial will battle Vietnam’s Nguyen Manh Cuong in lightheavyweight 80kg while Mindoro takes on another Vietnamese Bui Phuoc Tung in middleweight 75kg. Villegas is up against Myanmar’s Mya Moe Thu in women’s flyweight 50kg.
Marcial, a two-time Olympian, fought in middleweight 75kg in Tokyo to bag the bronze then went up to 80kg in Paris, losing in the round of 16 to finish out of the podium. He’s shooting for his fifth SEA Games gold after winning in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021. Marcial, 30, is taking a break from rhe pros to answer the country’s call. His pro record is 7-0 with 4 KOs. If Marcial beats Nguyen, he’ll vie for gold against the winner of the other semifinal between Thailand’s Jakkapong Yomkhot and Indonesia’s Maikhel Roberrd Muskita. Marcial knocked out Nguyen at the 2019 SEA Games and outpointed him at the 2022 Asiad so they’re familiar foes.
Villegas, 30, has never struck gold at the SEA Games and was third in 2019. She claimed a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 50kg division. At the 2023 SEA Games, Mya campaigned in featherweight 57kg and settled for bronze. If Villegas overcomes Mya, she moves to the final against the winner of the other semifinal between Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat and Indonesia’s Israellah Athena Bonita Saweho.
Mindoro, 25, has a pro record of 16-0-1, with 16 KOs, including a fight for the vacant IBA Asia middleweight title. He boxed as an amateur in Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa but never at the international level. Mindoro was encouraged by Marcial, a fellow Zamboangueno, to try his luck in the SEA Games. His opponent Tung fought in lightmiddleweight 71kg at the 2022 Asian Games where he was knocked out by India’s Nishant Dev in the Round of 16. A win over Tung will advance Mindoro to the final against the survivor of the other semifinal between Thailand’s Weerapon Jongjoho and Timor Leste’s Francisco Morati Gaspar da Costa.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
Thu, 19 Feb 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
Thu, 19 Feb 2026BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
Thu, 19 Feb 202675 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
Thu, 19 Feb 20264 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
Wed, 18 Feb 2026A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 18 Feb 2026PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Feb 2026