A homecoming fight awaits Olympian boxer Eumir Marcial in Manila.
Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions has officially confirmed that the 28-year-old Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist will face tough super middleweight Thai fighter Thoedsak Sinam on March 23 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Former Senator and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao expressed his excitement about making this fight a reality.
He has spearheaded Marcial’s bout in Manila, Philippines, for everyone to witness before his Summer Olympics appearance.
“Just like many Filipinos around the country, I’m very excited to spearhead a fight for Eumir here in the Philippines so everybody will get a chance to see him fight before the Paris Olympics,” announced Pacquiao.
“It’s going to be a great fight, a great treat for the Filipino fans as Eumir Felix Marcial will be fighting for the hometown crowd,” said MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons. He added that the fight will set the tone for Marcial heading to the Paris Olympics.
“Everybody wants to see their fellow Eumir, a big guy boxer fighting for them for free. This fight will serve as a good fitting send-off heading to his Olympic campaign. Everybody will be there too,” he added.
“This is for the people.” Gibbons said that Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Dicky Bachmann, PSC Commissioners Walter Torres, Fritz Gaston, Olivia Bong Coo, Edward Hayco, and Executive Director Paolo Tatad are invited to watch the fight.
“We are so thankful to these people for making this fight a possibility and for helping not only Marcial but also the rest of the other Filipino athletes to achieve their dreams,” he added.
“The POC and the PSC salute to them for helping the athletes like Eumir.”
Marcial is undergoing training, conditioning, and sparring sessions in Las Vegas, Nevada, under the watchful eyes of coach Kay Koroma.
Koroma has trained and developed many amateur boxers competing in the Olympics since the 2016 Rio Games.
Marcial’s fight against Sinam, who holds a 23-13 record with 19 knockouts, will showcase his boxing skills.
After that fight, the undefeated Marcial (4-0 record with two knockouts) will return to the US to continue his training for the Paris Summer Olympic Games slated from July 26 to August 11.
“He had a great time training and sparring in the US with Coach Kay. We have to remember that we’re not going to send him to war just yet, but to showcase his skills for the people,” Gibbons said.
“After this, Eumir will be returning to the US to train for the Paris Olympics.”
Marcial will march to his second Olympic stint after winning a silver medal in the light heavyweight division at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games.
The tournament was an Olympic qualifying tournament last October where the finalists would get an Olympic ticket.
