The highly anticipated professional debut of Eumir Marcial will likely happen this month, but MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions president Sean Gibbons is more excited to see the Filipino boxer fight for the country’s first gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Marcial, the 30-year-old native of Zamboanga City is currently training at the renowned Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles under Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach since his arrival in the US in mid October.
Gibbons said that there is a possibility to finally get Marcial his pro debut this December, and probably two more next year before the Tokyo Olympics, which has been reset to begin July 23.
“It’s a blessing that he was able to come here in the US. Since Day 1 our focus is the Tokyo Olympics and win the first gold (for the Philippines),” said Gibbons during the online PSA Forum Tuesday.
“We’re looking at December. For him to get the experience, is to get a four-rounder or six-rounder. By coming here (to train in the US) he gives himself a heck of a shot to win in Tokyo 2021.”
Marcial signed a six-year deal with MP Promotions last July, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, plans to move in the US were rescheduled while flights were postponed.
He finally arrived in LA last October, and according to Gibbons, a fighter normally prepares for at least 60 days prior to the match. That window, according to Marcial, is enough for him as he expressed his readiness to fight against anyone.
“Sa ngayon sobrang ready,” said Marcial who earned his Tokyo Olympic spot via the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament in Amman last March.
“Kung this week e ila-laban ako, ready ako. Siempre kung ano yung plano ni sir Sean… as a fighter dapat ready tayo sa kung sino man ang i-laban, o ibibigay sa atin,” added Marcial.
Aside from Roach, preparing Marcial for his first pro fight and the Tokyo Olympics are Pacquio’s strengthening and conditioning mentor Justin Fortune as well as coach Marvin Somodio.
Marcial said his decision to go to the US is very timely since his possible middleweight opponents in the Tokyo Olympics are now preparing for the 2021 Summer Games.