Olympian Eumir Marcial dominated in his pro debut, taking a lopsided unanimous decision win over Andrew Whitfield (40-36×3) at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in California, Thursday (Manila time).
Marcial’s first-ever pro fight even streamed to a mainstream audience, since it served as the co-main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1.
The pride of Zamboanga, who will carry the nickname ‘El Valiente’, put on a clinic in the four-round affair.
The 25-year-old Filipino middleweight landed a total of 120 punches – an average of 40 per three minutes – while Whitfield only connected on 46.
Marcial was aggressive from the get-go. He landed crisp shots that busted Whitfield’s right eye in the early-goings of the bout.
It was pure decimation from there. Marcial never let up in the latter three rounds while weaving through almost every attempt of the American.
“Siguro talagang pinaghandaan niya ako kasi three months ago, alam na niya yung laban. Tsaka siguro matagal ako walang training dahil sa pandemic kaya struggle din ako na makuha yung tamang kondisyon,” said Marcial.
Whitfield dropped to 3-2.
The three judges on ringside were Don De Verges, Ron Scott Stevens, and Damian Walton.
Freddie Roach and Marvin Somodio helped Marcial train for the bout.
Prior to the bout, Marcial dedicated this bout to MP Promotions chief Manny Pacquiao as the Filipino icon is celebrating his 42nd birthday.
Marcial will now set his sights on winning the country’s first-ever gold in the Olympics next year.
